Why many youths are desperate to leave Nigeria – Moghalu

A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kingsley Moghalu, has revealed why many youths in the country are desperate to leave the country for greener pastures.

Speaking during a Channels Television programme on Sunday, he said the economic frustration and misery are among the factors driving youths out of Nigeria.

Moghalu who declared his intention to run for president in 2023 under the platform of African Democratic Congress (ADC), said although his children are based abroad, they look forward to coming back to Nigeria.

“That is why they encourage me in my political career because they feel that if I can win, I can lead the creation of a Nigeria to which they can return. Look at young people in this country, everyone wants to go, leave the country because there is so much misery, so much economic frustration.

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“And I don’t blame them for leaving. My heart goes out to those young people. I want to lead the creation of a new Nigeria to which they can return.”

Moghalu said he could have joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) or the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019 — but he realised that neither of the parties can help to actualise his vision for Nigeria.

He said: “I do not believe that the Nigerian political leadership class is sincere or capable of changing this country for the better.

“In 2019, I had the opportunity to join the PDP or the APC but I advised myself to introduce my vision to Nigerians and take a long-term approach to my political career.

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“Because I did not feel satisfied just going in to become part of the system that feeds fat on the commonwealth of Nigerians. If I join APC or PDP today, I will have gone to take care of myself. The vision I have for the people, I do not think these parties are able to accommodate it, I don’t think they are able to execute it.

The former CBN deputy governor also advised against division along ethnic lines, adding that he is keen on helping to foster unity in the country.

He added: “This is one of the reasons I am in politics, seeking the presidency. I would love an opportunity to unify our country and demonstrate to all of us that we can be bigger than the sum of our past, that this country’s diversity can be managed for success.”