Former senator and rights activist, Shehu Sani, has urged Nigerians in their middle years to move beyond social media commentary and become more directly involved in the country’s political process.
In a post shared on X on Saturday, Sani called on citizens in their 30s, 40s and 50s to stop confining their political engagement to online debates and instead seek elective offices, noting that many political positions are increasingly being occupied by much younger individuals.
He criticised surveys and narratives that portray Nigerian youths as more active on social media than in politics, arguing that such claims are misleading and do little to promote meaningful civic participation.
According to the former lawmaker, genuine political involvement requires more than digital activism, stressing that real change comes from participation in party structures, grassroots mobilisation and elections.
Sani wrote that many Nigerians in their middle years now find themselves represented by lawmakers significantly younger than them, yet remain content with engaging politicians only through comment sections on social media platforms such as Facebook, X and Instagram.
He urged such citizens to register with political parties, aspire to public office and offer their communities the kind of leadership they believe is lacking.
The former senator also advised prospective candidates not to be discouraged by financial constraints, insisting that lack of money should not be a barrier to political ambition.
He noted that many individuals currently in positions of power did not begin their political journeys with substantial resources, adding that perseverance and commitment were often more critical than wealth.
Sani maintained that withdrawing from active politics in favour of online criticism only reinforces the cycle of poor leadership, urging Nigerians to channel their energy from social media into contesting elections and shaping governance from within.
