A civil society organization (CSO), Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), has called on political parties to evolve inclusive policies that would inspire youth for leadership.
Executive Director of CHRCR, Comrade Idris Miliki Abdul, made the call at a one-day ‘Post 2023 Governorship Elections Review Meeting For Political Parties In Kogi’ in Lokoja on Thursday.
Miliki said Kogi, and by extension Nigeria, needs its youth to remain fully engaged in the political and governance process.
He acknowledged the deliberate effort made by the outgoing government of Governor Yahaya Bello in Kogi state to encourage participation of young persons in governance through appointive positions. He, however, noted that youths are not well represented among elected officials.
He emphasized that peace, security, citizens’ well-being and partnership were key to attaining the SDGs by 2030 and ensuring no one was left behind.
“Despite this huge numbers of young persons, and the presence of the ‘Not Too Young To Run Act’ of the national parliament, the number of young persons in political leadership position both elective and appointive is still very low.
“The dampened spirit and agitation of young people after the elections are not lost on keen watchers of the political space. This disaffection can be seen from social media communication, judicial activism, conflict with constituted authorities in some states and an increased determination to exit the country,” he said.
Miliki further urged opposition political parties to take responsibility in checkmating the ruling party and holding them accountable to the people.
“What is my role and responsibly to the society, my community, local government State and country?
“The political parties have a role to play in post elections by holding the ruling party accountable to the people.
“They must observe the ruling party and governance after election, make pronouncements and monitor the performance of the government,” Miliki said.
The activist condemned the act of vote buying and selling during the Kogi governorship elections instead of using the fund to execute projects for the collective benefits of the people.
He explained that in the next six months, the ‘Inspire Youth for Leadership’ project will mobilize the Citizens, especially young persons, to hold their leaders and representatives accountable.
He added that the project will also develop synergy with youth based civil society and media to track and report youth-related activities.
“Our goal is to improve participation of young persons in governance and leadership in Kogi state,” he said.
Miliki also decried the inability of the Kogi Government to conduct local government elections, stressing that the tenure of the present chairmen expired Dec. 14, 2023.
He insisted that the Governor Yahaya Bello-led administration has failed in his constitutional role to ensure the people elect their leaders at the local government level.
In his remarks, Executive Director of Integrated Initiative for Grassroot in Nigeria (INGRA), Hamza Aliyu, decried the alarming ethnic dimension the November 11 governorship election took in Kogi state.
Hamza noted that the November 11 poll was the most divisive in the history of the state and called on political actors to stop fanning embers of disunity.
He called for a state conference on unity within the next administration’s first hundred days in office.
Representative of political parties present include: the All Progressive Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Party (ADC), Labour Party (LP), Young Progressive Party (YPP), Boot Party (BP) APGA, PRP, among others.
In their separate comments, the representative of political parties, promised to develop policies in their various parties that would ensure youth participation in leadership at all levels.
