NEWS
Jonathan Urges Africa to Entrust Power to Under-50 Leaders
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for a generational shift in African leadership, urging countries across the continent to deliberately promote leaders between the ages of 25 and 50 to safeguard democracy and strengthen governance.
Jonathan made the appeal in Abuja on Thursday at the International Memorial Lecture and Leadership Conference commemorating the 50th anniversary of the assassination of former Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Muhammed.
The event, organised by the Murtala Muhammed Foundation, was themed “Has Africa Come of Age?”Describing Africa as a predominantly young continent, Jonathan warned that the exclusion of young people from leadership threatens the sustainability of democracy across the region.
“Africa cannot sustain democracy while excluding its most vibrant population,” he said, adding that growing youth frustration should not be mistaken for a rejection of democratic rule but rather a demand for opportunity, dignity and justice.
He argued that modern governance requires unusual physical stamina and mental alertness, qualities he said are more commonly found among younger leaders. Recalling his time in office, Jonathan noted that the pressures of leadership often allowed him less than two hours of sleep in a day.
“Why do we begin to think that you must be a hundred years old before you can rule your country?” he asked. “If you subject an older person to that kind of stress, the person will spend 50 per cent of the time in hospital.”
He aligned his position with the “Not Too Young To Run” movement, calling for lower age barriers to elective office and greater youth participation in governance. According to him, Africa must intentionally cultivate leaders within the 25–50 age bracket who are physically strong, mentally sound and prepared for the rigours of public service.
Jonathan anchored his argument on the legacy of General Murtala Muhammed, who became Head of State at 38 and, despite ruling for only 200 days, left what he described as a profound national impact driven by clarity of purpose and patriotism.
“His leadership sent a clear message: leadership was to serve the national interest, not personal ambition,” Jonathan said.
He also cited General Yakubu Gowon, who assumed office at 32 and steered Nigeria through the civil war while initiating enduring reforms such as the National Youth Service Corps.
However, Jonathan cautioned that youth alone is insufficient without discipline, patriotism and strong institutions. While praising the decisiveness of past military leaders, he stressed that democracy requires a different approach anchored on institutional strength rather than individual authority.
“Democracy requires vision rather than decree. It requires persuasion instead of command. It depends on institutions, not individuals,” he said, emphasising the importance of credible elections, judicial independence, press freedom, well-trained security agencies and respect for the rule of law.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey, Jonathan noted that leaders often face temptations to sacrifice democratic principles during crises. He recalled the security, economic and political challenges of his administration, warning that democracy must be strengthened even at personal cost to leaders.
He also criticised what he described as weak discipline among some elected officials who spend excessive time away from their states or countries, arguing that such absence undermines governance and security.
Jonathan said Nigeria bears special responsibility in Africa’s democratic trajectory, noting that its successes and failures reverberate across the continent.
“When democracy succeeds in Nigeria, it strengthens democracy across Africa. When it falters, the consequences are far-reaching,” he said.
He urged both young and older leaders to redefine their understanding of power, calling on youths to see leadership as service rather than entitlement, and on incumbents to treat governance as stewardship.
Also speaking at the event, former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo revisited Murtala Muhammed’s 1976 declaration that “Africa has come of age,” describing it as a bold assertion of agency and self-determination rather than a reference to years.
Osinbajo said coming of age is a process, not a moment, and argued that Africa’s progress — including the African Continental Free Trade Area and growing influence in innovation, climate action and clean energy — demonstrates that the continent is increasingly shaping its own destiny.
“Africa has come of age not because the journey is complete, but because the direction is clear,” Osinbajo said, urging a new generation to build on the vision articulated five decades ago.
As the lecture marked 50 years since Murtala Muhammed’s assassination, speakers agreed that the commemoration should serve not as nostalgia, but as a call to decisive, disciplined and youth-driven leadership capable of securing Africa’s democratic future.
By David Torough, Abuja
A coalition of civil society activists on Monday staged the second phase of a peaceful protest at the headquarters of the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) in Abuja, demanding the reversal of what they described as unlawful appointments of Executive Directors representing the country’s geopolitical zones.
The protest was led by the Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens (CCNC), whose convener, Amande Msughter Solomon, accused the NRS leadership of violating provisions of the Nigerian Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025 in the appointment process.
Addressing journalists during the protest on March 9, Solomon said the coalition returned to the agency’s headquarters to press for the correction of what it called “erroneous and purported appointments” made in breach of the law.
According to him, the group had earlier raised the issue during the first phase of its protest on February 16, 2026, but alleged that the NRS had yet to respond or clarify the legality of the appointments.
The coalition argued that five out of the six Executive Director positions were filled in violation of Section 17(1) of the NRS Establishment Act, which stipulates that appointments must follow a rotational arrangement among states within each geopolitical zone in alphabetical order.
Under the group’s interpretation of the law, Solomon said the North-East position should have gone to Adamawa State rather than Borno State, while Benue State should represent the North-Central instead of Niger State.
He also argued that Jigawa State should represent the North-West rather than Kano State, Abia State instead of Imo State for the South-East, and Ekiti State rather than Lagos State for the South-West.
The Act further provides that the President appoints six Executive Directors for the service, each representing a geopolitical zone on a rotational basis among states in alphabetical order, with the additional requirement that the Executive Chairman and an Executive Director must not come from the same state.
Solomon urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Executive Chairman of the NRS, Zacch Adedeji, to correct the alleged irregularities and ensure strict compliance with the law.
He also criticized what he described as the agency’s silence on the matter, warning that it could undermine public confidence and create perceptions of unfairness among states.
The coalition said it would continue peaceful demonstrations at the NRS headquarters until the appointments are reviewed and due process is followed.
It also announced plans to petition relevant authorities to address the issue.
Solomon insisted that taxpayers’ funds should not be used to sustain appointments made outside the provisions of the law, stressing that the coalition would persist in its advocacy until its demands are met.
Pope Leo XIV on Sunday appealed to nations involved in the escalating Middle East conflict to recognise their moral responsibility to pursue peace, following airstrikes reportedly carried out by the United States and Israel on Iran.
According to Vatican News, the Pope made the call during his Angelus address on Sunday, where he expressed “deep concern” over recent developments in the region, particularly in Iran.
“Stability and peace are not built with mutual threats, nor with weapons, which sow destruction, pain, and death, but only through a reasonable, authentic, and responsible dialogue,” he said.
The Pontiff warned that an uncontrolled escalation of violence could result in catastrophic consequences.
“Faced with the possibility of a tragedy of enormous proportions. “I address to the parties involved a heartfelt appeal to assume the moral responsibility to stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss!,” he said.
Pope Leo XIV also prayed that diplomacy would regain prominence in resolving the crisis.
“May diplomacy recover its role and may the good of peoples be promoted, peoples who long for peaceful coexistence founded on justice. And let us continue to pray for peace,” he said.
On Saturday, Israel and the United States reportedly began joint airstrikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities, prompting retaliatory attacks by Iran targeting Israel and several Gulf countries hosting American military bases.
In a dramatic development, Iranian state-run news agencies later announced the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had ruled the country for nearly 37 years.
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
The Niger State Government has directed all political appointees and public office holders who intend to contest elective positions in the 2027 General Elections to resign their appointments on or before March 23, 2026.
The directive was issued by the Secretary to the Government of Niger State (SSG), Abubakar Usman, following the release of the revised timetable for the 2027 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to the timetable released by INEC, elections for the President and members of the National Assembly will take place on January 16, 2027, while elections for State Governors and members of the State Houses of Assembly are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
The electoral body also announced that political parties will begin their primaries on April 23, 2026, as part of preparations for the nationwide polls.
Usman explained that the directive was necessary to ensure strict compliance with electoral laws and guidelines regulating participation in elective offices.
He noted that the law requires public office holders who intend to contest elections to resign their appointments at least one month before the commencement of party primaries.
The SSG therefore urged all affected political appointees and government officials in the state with political ambitions to submit their resignations before the stipulated deadline to avoid violating the rules guiding the electoral process.
“I am to draw the attention of all political appointees and other government officials who desire to contest for elective positions that the conduct of party primaries is expected to commence from April 23, 2026,” he said.
“In line with this development, all such appointees and officials are advised to resign their appointments by March 23, 2026, in order to meet the one-month requirement for resignation before seeking elective positions.”
Usman reiterated the state government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all political activities in the state strictly conform to constitutional and electoral provisions.
The directive was contained in a statement signed by Lawal Tanko, Coordinator of Press Affairs in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of Niger State, on March 8, 2026.
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