The lawmaker who represents the Federal Capital Territory in the Senate, Senator Ireti Kingibe, has criticised Nigerians — particularly the youth — accusing them of complacency and lacking constructive engagement with their leaders.
Speaking to journalists, Kingibe expressed concern over what she described as a culture of passive complaint and verbal attacks on public officials, rather than proactive and solution-oriented dialogue.
“I have said it, Nigerian youths are complacent. They are quiet, all they do is grumble. We need to have constructive interactions. All I hear is grumbling and insults. That is not helpful. The country belongs to the youths, they should own it. Instead of a proper agenda or programme, they will threaten a strike that everybody knows they are not going to on, how does that achieve anything,” she said.
When asked what she expects Nigerian youths to do in reclaiming ownership of the country, the senator urged them to actively participate in nation-building rather than resort to pessimism.
“This is your country, own it. I do not have another country so we have to make it work. We have to do whatever is necessary make sure that this country works for everybody.”
She further noted that citizens often fail to hold leaders accountable in a consistent and organized manner, instead focusing only on individual interests.
“I haven’t seen a concerted complaint and all I see from most people is about ‘me’. I want to see something. I am sure other leaders want to see something. All I see are young people who complain and constantly just insult their leaders. They do not constructively engage their leaders. They do not constructively engage their leaders.”
Kingibe’s comments come amid growing public dissatisfaction with governance and increasing calls for reform across several sectors in Nigeria.
