Following the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the general elections, the President exercised his constitutional power to nominate ministers to form the Federal Executive Council and forwarded the names to the Senate for screening and confirmation. The list comprises 43 male-dominated nominees coming from across all 36 states with the notable exclusion of nominees below the age of 35.
The conspicuous absence of young people under the age of 35 in the ministerial nominees read by Senate President Ahmed Lawan as sent to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari contradicts the letter and spirit of the Not Too Young To Run Law and the promise of inclusion in governance and political processes for Nigerian youth. The list of ministerial nominees is neither inclusive nor representative of the population and those who voted for President Muhammadu Buhari including youth, women and persons with disabilities.
The Movement recalls that President Buhari, at the signing of the Not Too Young To Run (age reduction) Bill into Law noted that the focus and contributions of the Movement successfully increased the quality and maturity of Nigerian democracy and expanded the political space for youth participation in politics.
Similarly, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Next Level Road Map prioritized inclusion in Government by promising more youth appointments. The list of ministerial nominees is a missed opportunity by President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC to keep their promise and show faith and fidelity with the Nigerian youths who entrusted them with a mandate for the next four years.
Nigeria’s most important resource is not oil, not agriculture, not solid minerals – but undoubtedly the youth. Our energy, intelligence and talent are what will drive and develop Nigeria. Nigerian youths are ready to leave our mark on the political space, just as we have done over the decades in entrepreneurship, sports, art, media entertainment, technology, and several other fields. Nigeria needs a government constituted to represent its diversity with respect to youth and women representation.
The recent emergence of Speakers under the age of 35 in State Houses of assembly of Oyo, Zamfara, Kwara and Plateau, as well as young representatives in various principal positions in their State Houses of Assembly demonstrates the capacity and competence of Nigerian youth.
The Not Too Young To Run movement is driven by the compelling need to restructure the country’s political system to address the deeply entrenched system of political exclusion and institute inclusive politics for transformative leadership and sustainable democracy.
To this end, the Movement calls on President Buhari to ensure more appointment of youth, women and persons with disabilities into boards and agencies and on State Governors to write their names in history by appointing a truly inclusive cabinets and ensure youth representation in boards and agencies across the 36 states of the Federation.
The constitution of the Federal Executive Council is an opportunity for Nigeria to show leadership in the continent as a country committed to promoting inclusion of youth and women for inclusive growth and sustainable development and democracy in Nigeria.
One Shared Value, One Shared Goal, #NotTooYoungToRun.
Signed:
DanAsabe Mohammed Umar
For: Not Too Young To Run Movement
