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34 and later into the Legislative Assembly at the age of 37. Shehu Shagari's was 21 years old whenbegan his political life. At 23, he merged his political organization, The Youth Social Circle withother political organizations to create the Northern People's Congress (NPC). Maitama Sule on2his part was made a minister in his twenties.The post independence era also witnessed another dominance of young people in public spaces.General Yakubu Gowon was Africa's youngest head of state at 32 when he led the civil war.Despite the immense contributions of young people to democratic development in Nigeria, thecurrent political class has failed to appreciate 'youth-power' and the dynamics they bring to bearin the political terrain. Experts and youth advocates have argued that the Nigerian political andelectoral system is perpetually skewed to exclude young people from qualitative political3participation.The political marginalization of young people rests squarely on centrifugal forces that areartificially created by 'stereotypes' which serve as lubricants for oiling the wheel of politicalexclusion. The present status quo of entrenched youth marginalization is viewed in some4quarters as a factor that fuels insurgency, criminality and violence. The exclusion of youth frompolitical participation and decision making is underscored by trivial responsibilities apportionedto youth such as posting of posters, distribution of campaign materials, singing and dancingduring campaigns and party conventions, mobilization of thugs and crowds. These can neitherbe referred to as inclusion nor qualitative participation since they do not translate into access tothe structures of decision making.It is a widely accepted view that increased youth political participation in governance anddecision making processes is a clear indicator of a country's democratic development. Sincedemocracy thrives on the ability of citizens to enforce their rights by participating in decision2Opara, C. “State of Affairs: The Voice of the Youth in Nigerian Politics” http://idey.me/specials/state-ofaffairs-the-voice-of-the-youth-in-nigerian-politics3Itodo Samson, Constitution and Electoral Reform in Nigeria: A window of opportunity for young people, November 20114The Fire Next Time: Youth, Violence and Democratization in Northern Nigeria. Being a research paper published byFriedrich-Ebert-Stiftung5