In a bid to deepen its advocacy for youth inclusion in governance and leadership, a civil society organization, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) has taken its townhall meeting series to the western senatorial district of Kogi state.
At the townhall meeting held in Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu local government area of Kogi state, on Wednesday, CHRCR called on political parties and community associations to ensure that young persons have leadership roles in the management of the party and associations at all levels.
In his paper presentation, Executive Director of CHRCR, Comrade Idris Miliki Abdul, noted that young persons have lost hope in governance in Nigeria and are leaving the country in droves, especially due to dissatisfaction with the outcome of the 2023 and preceding elections.
Miliki said the observation that no young persons that obtained party nominations and became candidates in the November 11, 2023 governorship election is a worrisome development.
Reviewing the November 11 election, the townhall meeting, which had in attendance representatives of hunter associations, market women, community, youth and traditional leaders, decried the unchecked widespread cases of vote buying. adding that the electorate was guilty of willingness to sell their votes as well.
They urged citizens to desist from participating in vote buying as it disenfranchises them of their right to select those who should lead them and affects development as well as good governance.
Participants called on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make concise efforts at monitoring the activities of political parties to ensure financial transparency and accountability.
They noted that despite 18 years being the age of voting by the Nigerian Constitution, the age to contest for elective positions in Nigeria is 25 years. They described this as discriminatory, insisting that the constitutional requirement on the age of contest must be amended.
Also, they observed a wide gap in awareness among community residents on the existence of the Youth Development Commission Law and the Not Too Young To Run Act which has a significant implication on youths’ quest for leadership.
They called on government, especially the National Orientation Agency, to make concerted efforts at raising awareness of community residents, especially young persons, on the laws that particularly affect them such as Youth Development Commission Law and the Not Too Young To Run Act
The town-hall meeting commended the Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) for its continuous efforts at improving youth involvement in democracy in Kogi State. It also appreciated The Nigeria Women Trust Fund and MacArthur Foundation for their support.
