Moshood Mustapha, a former member of the House of Representatives, has counselled old politicians over the age of 65 to refrain from political positions.
At a special prayer service held on Saturday to celebrate his 60th birthday, Mustapha responded to inquiries from reporters by saying that the older generation of politicians should step down and make room for the younger ones.
Mustapha served the Asa/Ilorin West Federal Constituency of Kwara State in the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015 as an APC candidate for governor in the state’s 2019 election.
When questioned about his next goal, he stated that once he turns 65, he will no longer run for elective office.
He said, “65 years is old age. Even judges retire at 65 years, civil servants retire at 60. What are we doing? This population is for younger generation. We have young people more than old people. So, if we continue to remain on board until we die, when will it be the turn of the young people?
“Let the young men take charge and let us be in the background and watch them; give them advice and admonish them and it would be a better society. As we used to say, tomorrow is to the youth and tomorrow has come today.
I’m going to take a back seat. I want to see how we can actually achieve progress in Kwara State.”
Mustapha disclosed that part of his plans was to become a community leader and statesman, who would only focus on helping the needy and vulnerable people in society.
“I want to be a community leader. I want to retire to Ilorin. I told my children that in the next 10 years, I don’t want to run around again. At 70, I don’t want to be in Abuja or Lagos. I want to be in Ilorin, sit down, listen to people, and try to help them. That is my desire and prayer,” he said.
