Alexandria Ocasio – Cortez and 5 Lessons for Nigeria’s Future Political Leaders

On Tuesday, 6th November 2018, Alexandria Ocasio – Cortez, aged 29 years old, a half Puerto-Rican, born in the Bronx district of New York to a Bronx Dad and a Puerto Rican Mum, made history, to become America’s youngest woman ever elected to Congress, breaking the record set by Elise Stefanik who was 30 years old when elected, incidentally from the same New York but different districts. 

Another spectacular thing about Alexandria’s election is that she also is the first person of colour to represent the Bronx, a district where over 70% of her population are people of colour, yet they have never had a person of colour represent them in Congress.

Her election is clearly a loud statement by millennials globally, and arguably, another after-effect of the #Metoo movement.

More importantly, it holds lessons for the youth of the most populous black nation in the world, and the nation with the biggest youth population per national population, in Africa – The Federal Republic of Nigeria.

To be fair, Nigeria has had occasional flashes of youth participation in politics, such as Rt. Hon. Aliyu Sabiu Muduru who was elected Speaker of the Katsina House of Assembly at 32 years old, Hon. Friday Ossai Osanebi who was elected Delta Deputy House of Assembly Speaker at 35 years old, at the State level, and Hon. Dimeji Bankole, Nigeria's youngest ever Federal House of Assembly Speaker, and Speaker of the 9th Federal Assembly, elected at the age of 37, Hon. Michael Etaba elected into the federal house of assembly at 32, Hon. Ismaila Suleiman at 33, Hon. Emmanuel Ombugadu at 34, Hon. Godhead Boma at 35 and Hon. Chinedu Nwulu at 35. 

However, when one compares this number to the ratio of youths in the Nigerian population, the gross under-representation of the youth demography becomes appallingly glaring.

While one of the new breeds, Hon. Chinedu Nwulu, representing Oshodi/Isolo at the Federal House of Assembly, has pushed for and succeeded in the passing of the #NotTooYoungToRun Bill, there is still a lot of work to be done to truly reflect the Nigerian demography in her leadership.

A closer look at Alexandria Cortez’s story reveals 5 Lessons Nigeria’s future political leaders can learn.

1.      START EARLY: Alexander Cortez graduated from Boston University at 22 years old. She was also an activist way before she got into the university. The average Nigerian 22 years old is still writing JAMB! At their late 20’s, most Nigerian youths do not exactly even know what they want for themselves, and for their lives. There is a need for Nigeria’s future leaders to determine early enough, whether they truly desire to serve Nigeria in the political space. And if the answer is yes, the Nigerian youth should start manifesting this trait from, as early as primary school, secondary school, and tertiary level. The Nigerian youth should at an early stage show interest in leadership, and actually put self forward to serve as class captain, school prefect, school social club leadership, religious body leadership and the like. This would ensure that they have enough time to make mistakes, learn, understand their strengths, as well as build goodwill as they grow among those who they will eventually seek votes.

2.      BE BOLD: Alexander Cortez beat Joe Crowley at the Democratic primaries. Let me tell you about Joe Crowley. As at when Joe was beaten by Alexandria in the primaries, he was the fourth-ranking House Democrat in the U.S Congress. He had represented the Bronx district for 10 terms! He was also predicted by almost everybody, to replace Nancy Pelosi as minority leader. That was the pedigree of the candidate that Alexander Cortez took head-on during the primaries - and dusted! There is a need for the Nigerian youth to be bold if power must be wrested from the old guard. I am also sure that Alex must have also done a lot of home-work which gave her the assurance that perhaps, there was a possibility of victory against the colossus called Joe.

3.      APPRENTICE RIGHT: Alexandria Cortez was a former organizer for Bernie Sanders Presidential Campaign, and also worked for late Senator Ted Kennedy, one of the longest-serving Senators in American history, and John F Kennedy’s youngest brother. Do you know why the Igbo trading business thrives wherever it is? The average Igbo trader undergoes a rigorous practical apprenticeship, and always with the best in the industry. While there is a dearth of credible office holders, and mentors in Nigeria, there are still a few from whom a lot can be learnt. Aspiring Nigerian future leaders should ensure they undergo some form of apprenticeship. It makes ascent easier. While the case of Lagos may not exactly be an apprenticeship, it is clear that from 1999, leadership in Lagos has been a case of Elijah handing over the mantle to the trusted Elisha. Senator Bola Tinubu handed over power to his Chief of Staff, Barr. Raji Fashola, who handed over to Akinwunmi Ambode a former longtime staff of the same government, while Fashola himself moved on, arguably, at the behest of Senator Bola Tinubu, to become a triple portfolio minister at the federal level, and Yemi Osibanjo, Attorney General in Lagos state under the Tinubu era became the vice-president, and at the same time, Babatunde Fowler, the former CEO of the Lagos Inland Revenue Service became the Director General of the Federal Inland Revenue Service. It is no coincidence that Fashola, Ambode, Osinbajo and Fowler all initially served under Senator Tinubu when he was governor of Lagos state. Bottom - Line, the fastest way to get to the top is to diligently learn and meritoriously serve under someone already at the top.

4.      BE CLOSE TO THE ELECTORATE: Alexandria Cortez had previously worked as Education Director at the National Hispanic Institute. She is also Hispanic anyway, half Puerto Rican. What better way to learn and understand the pain of the minority than to head an institute dedicated to studying them, understanding them, and having historical materials on their idiosyncrasies? The massive under-development of rural areas and most states in Nigeria other than Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt has massively increased the urban-migration drive of the best from other states. These best end up achieving their dreams in these mentioned cities, but find it difficult to go back home and present themselves for leadership. The electorates rightly claim that these ‘town boys’ do not understand their pains, or that they are opportunists “because they have made money, they think they can come back and run for office”. But, be that as it may, be, it is important that aspiring Nigerian future leaders should find ingenious ways of connecting with their constituencies way before they are in the best position to run for office back home.

5.      START FROM WHERE YOU ARE: Just a year ago, Alexander Cortez was a waitress at a bar, mixing and serving drinks to support her working-class family. Presently, she shares an apartment with her boyfriend, Riley Roberts. The universe has a way of conspiring to create the provision for every vision assiduously pursued. The usual excuse for non-participation by the average Nigerian youth is “I don’t have money”. While this excuse may be valid to a point, it is not completely valid. This is because, no politician or office seeker in recent history has ever single-handedly, financially prosecuted an election. Everybody needs help. But there is a need for one to project and position oneself as a person deserving of support. The desire, drive, and skills needed to project this position is what is lacking among most aspiring Nigerian future leaders.

The stage is set for the Nigerian youth to take his/her place in the leadership of the giant of Africa. The age requirement has been revised to 25 years for State and National Assembly, 30 years for Governors, and 35 years for the President. The Arab Spring and the #Metoo movement is proof of the power of social media, a space the Nigerian youth straddles with equestrian-like swagger. The few Nigerians who have risen to great political heights in their 30’s are proof that it is feasible. So, the question is: what are we waiting for?