Stop Discouraging Youths From Politics, Don Tasks Religious Bodies

By Solomon Odeniyi

A professor of political science and  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in the State of Osun, Prof. Adeolu Durotoye has called on religious institutions across the county to refrain from painting politics as a dirty game if youths are to participate in the process of governance in the country at all.

He frowned at a situation where religious bodies teach that politics is a precursor to hell thereby discouraging a larger percentage of the naive youths that ought to be actively involved in politics even as National Assembly has passed the Not too young to run bill.

He spoke while responding to questions posed to him during the Living Faith Church’s Youths in Politics Summit in Osogbo, where he was a panelist alongside Kunle Oyatomi, the Director Publicity, Research and Strategy of the All progressive Congress in Osun State.

Durotoye noted that religious institutions ought to be a training ground where true leaders with the people’s interest at heart are raised, saying they must encourage youths to actively participate in politics.

He said: “Youths may not take charge in politics as being clamoured. Our religious bodies have demonised politics, they call politicians names, they tell their members that those who are into politics are corrupt, and warn to wade them off from political participation. They forget that every profession is dirty but, that individuals distinguish themselves by being unique. What makes evil to thrive is when the good people keep mute.”

Corroborating, the political scientist, Barrister Oyatomi stated that religious leaders should understand that if their youths do not participate in the process, the political sphere would be dominated by the corrupt and ungodly and these malicious beings would be difficult to get out of politics if religious bodies remain negative on politics.

He urged the religious youths who have no interest in politics to strive to become professionals in their respective fields so as to command the respect of those in the corridors of power.

He said: “On several fronts, the politician needs the expertise of fields, for instance in the accounting, legal, medical and media professions amongst several others. When you excel, as a professional, being hardworking, honest and incorruptible, you will command the respect of politicians. I worked with Vanguard Newspaper before I got appointed by the APC and I make bold to say that I haven’t played any dirty game since I joined.