Press Statement
August 1, 2017
The Not Too Young To Run movement commends the National Assembly for the passage of the historic age reduction bill seeking to reduce the age for running for the office of the President from 40 to 35; Governor 35 to 30; House of Representatives 30 to 25; and State of house of assembly 30 to 25. This is indeed a positive development in our great country’s democratic progress. We commend the 86 senators who voted in support of the bill and the 261 members of the House of Representatives who passed the constitutional amendment to reduce the age for contesting elections on July 26 and July 27, 2017 respectively. The movement also commends the National Assembly for passing the clause to mainstream independent candidacy into our electoral system.
We especially acknowledge the role of the leadership of the National Assembly in ensuring the passage of the bill; specifically, the Senate President, Distinguished Senator, Bukola Saraki, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yusuf Sulaimon Lasun for their commitment to inclusive democracy and youth development.
The passage of the Bill in the National Assembly will remain a historic moment in our constitution-building process because for the first time we had young Nigerians engaging the process and propelling a change towards a youth inclusive constitution. The #NotTooYoungToRun Campaign has been driven by young citizens who are united by a common interest and common values and the journey so far has revealed the undeniable potentials in young Nigerians to commit to democratic development and passionately promote its values and our dear country Nigeria.
The passage of the Bill in the National Assembly is a call to Nigerians both young and old to join the campaign as the National Assembly proceeds to transmit the Constitutional Amendments Bills to the State Houses of Assembly. Our success at the National Assembly will be futile if we lose the support of the State Houses of Assembly to pass the #NotTooYoungToRun Bill on age reduction for elective offices and independent candidacy which are currently numbered bills 14 and 27 respectively. According to Section 9 of the Constitution, for the Not Too Young To Run amendment to pass, it will require an affirmative vote of at least 24 State Assemblies before proceeding to the National Assembly and subsequently to the President for assent.
As a movement, we are determined in our quest for a true people’s constitution anchored on the principles of inclusion, equality and justice. We are resolute in our belief in democracy and Nigeria and are confident that the more we have young Nigerians, citizens lend their voices in support of the #NotTooYoungToRun Bill, the better our opportunities in achieving at two-third majority YES VOTE on the age reduction Bill and the Independent candidacy Bill at the State level.
We hereby ardently call on the State Houses of Assembly to join the 8th National Assembly in writing their names in gold by supporting the bills once they are transmitted to states.
We also call on citizens to contact their representatives at the State Assemblies and seek their commitment to vote in support of the #NotTooYoungToRun Bill. We urge citizens to be vigilant and reach out to their legislators to ensure the outcome of this constitution review process is a true reflection of the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians.
We as a country must continue to align our interest with democratic principles, global values and acknowledge that democratic accountability is now a norm and no longer an exception.
We urge the State Assemblies to be guided by good conscience, equity and justice. The interests of the people must prevail.
As a movement, we will be deploying diverse approaches towards engaging the State Assemblies.
One Shared Value, One Shared Goal, #NOTTOOYOUNGTORUN
Our Shared Value, Our Shared Goal, #NOTTOOYOUNGTORUN
Signed
- Activista
- Abuja Global Shapers
- African Youth Initiative on Population, Health & Development (AfrYPoD)
- Connected Development [CODE],
- The Election Network,
- League of Progressive Ambassadors of Nigeria (LEPAN),
- Mind Capital,
- The Nigerian Youth Parliament,
- Orodata,
- Project Pink Blue,
- Social Good Nigeria
- TechHer NG
- The YALI Network,
- Youngstars Foundation,
- Youth Hub Africa,
- Youth Initiative Advocacy Growth & Advancement (YIAGA),
- Amplified Radio
- Media Insight
- Vision Alive Foundation, Abia
- Youth Initiative for Better Change, Adamawa
- Young Activists Initiative Nigeria, Akwa Ibom
- Integrity Youth Development Initiative, Anambra
- Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development, Bayelsa
- The Bridge Youth Development Foundation, Benue
- Exit Lanes, Borno
- After School Centre for Career Development, Cross River
- DIG Foundation, Ebonyi
- Connected Advocacy, Edo
- Inspiration Care Centre, Ekiti
- New Century Initiative, Enugu
- Dandalin Matasa Initiative for Rapid Development, Gombe
- Development Dynamics, Imo
- Centre for Environmental Research and Development, Jigawa
- One Project Afrika. Kaduna
- Centre for Advocacy in Gender and Social Inclusion, Kano
- Youth Entrepreneurship Support Hub, Katsina
- Youth Consensus Forum, Kebbi
- Youth Emancipation for the Society (ProjectYES), Kogi
- Brain Builders International, Kwara
- Grassroots Mobilization Initiative, Nasarawa
- Nigerian Young Professionals Forum, Niger
- Youth Future Savers Initiatives, Ogun
- Youth Aglow Initiative, Ondo
- Kimpact Development Initiative, Osun
- Young Care Initiative, Oyo
- Centre for Youth Participation Advocacy, Plateau
- Golden Star Development Initiative, Sokoto
- Rural Integrated Development Initiative, Taraba
- North East Youth Initiative Forum, Yobe
- Golden Stars Development Initiative, Zamfara
- Modaville Centre for Development, Lagos
- National Organization for Citizens Orientation (NOCO), Rivers State.
- Rugged Steps Foundation, Rivers State
- Nigerian Youth Action (NYA), Rivers State, Nigeria
