I've wondered why politicians always love to remain in power...
They seem to be fixated to the allure of power and they have dug themselves so like the old despot, Idi Amin, they want to remain President for life! Have they ever considered that the younger people are looking at them and learning their ways? So what happens when they are no longer physically able to govern? Then we will have a vacuum so dangerously wide that there would be no one capable to fill it. They, the politicians are squandering the young peoples' future through their neglect and dereliction of duty.
So what have they done to include our young in nation building, have they invested in their well being or citizenship? So where would the next up and coming citizens come from, who will be worthy of holding public offices? These are some of the politicians who have decided to hold on to power for the rest of their lives.
In 1979, Bamanga Tukur was the Governor of the defunct Gongola State (now Adamawa & Taraba) and 33 years after, he is still the chairman of the ruling party. Dr. Bello Halliru was commissioner in the Old Sokoto State (now Sokoto, Kebbi & Zamfara) and 33 years after, he remains the minister of Defence (until recently). Major General David Mark (rtd) was the military governor of Niger State in 1984 and 28 years after he is still the Senate President.
Also Governor Murtala Nyako was the governor of Niger State in 1976 and 36 years after he is still the Governor of Adamawa State.
What they have done is to condemn a whole generation in one swoop and that is not right. It would have been valid, if, previous governments had not been riddled with corruption, extortion, looting of the natural resources and all manners of abuse of power.
Really, so the younger generation can't do worse than the old guards, why should they not be given the chance?
We have seen many times whenever a young, enigmatic and idealistic person comes along, they lure him to the dark side and if that does not work then, should the younger person rises amongst the ranks, they are subsequently silenced (we know, they do have ways and means). No wonder the young people are hesitant to participate in the political machinery that does not include them, in fact it actively isolates them to the fringes of mainstream politics.
About time these politicians stopped playing political musical chairs with our nation's younger generation. It is high time the old guard quietly let go and retire gracefully to pasture.

The fact that the older generation is hard to go has socio-scientific implications.
People are living longer than before. In my parents time a 74 year old man was a living miracle, and at that point their body and mind was slowing down. We have now 74 year old men that are moving and speaking like 54 year old men. People world wide, nigeria included, are living longer so they-as a generation-are in power longer.

Our parents generation hasn't even fully taken power yet because IBB, OBJ, and the major power players are from my grandfathers generation.
It's only now with governors like Fashola and even GEJ that our parents generation is getting a chance to shine.

Still, I think nigeria never gets credit for any of it's achievements.
This is one of the only countries in africa where no man can be in power longer than he is supposed to be. You can't name a president governor minister or local government chairman that has subverted the law and 'remained in power' the way you're accusing them of. Nigeria has at least reached that level of political maturity

Only African politicians. . . please, differentiate.
Thanks!