Why did the Roman people want Scipio Africanus the Younger to command the war against Carthage?

The Roman people favored Scipio Aemilianus (Scipio Africanus the Younger) to command the Third Punic War primarily because of his demonstrated military competence and his distinguished lineage.123

By 147 BCE, the Roman military effort against Carthage had stalled for two years, leading to frustration with the existing leadership. Scipio, however, had already earned a reputation for excellence during the early operations of the war, where he displayed significant skill in retrieving difficult situations and managing complex military tasks.1234

Furthermore, as the adopted grandson of the famous Scipio Africanus—the conqueror of Hannibal—he carried a powerful family legacy that inspired public confidence. Consequently, when Scipio stood for the consulship in 147 BCE, the Roman people bypassed standard age and experience requirements through a popular vote, specifically assigning him the task of bringing the war to a successful conclusion.5236