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Tag: Not Too Young To Run Bill’

  • 10 key facts, statistics of 2019 polls

    A record of 84,004,084 people Nigerians have registered to vote — an increase of 18 percent from the 2015 election, and as they prepare to cast their votes in the presidential elections, we present the key facts worth noting :

    1. The number of candidates is the highest ever in Nigeria’s history of presidential election.

    2. The 2019 elections would be the country’s sixth since May 1999 – when the military government handed power over to the democratic government.

    3. 73 candidates will be on the ballot in the race to become Nigeria’s president in the February 16 presidential election.

    4. There are six female candidates contesting in the election, the highest ever in Nigeria’s history.

    5. President Muhammadu Buhari is the oldest candidate at the age of 76 while Chike Ukaegbu of the Advanced Allied Party (AAP) is the youngest at 35.

    6. Buhari’s main rival and former vice president under Olusegun Obasanjo, Atiku Abubakar, has made a bid for the presidency five times for four different parties. His last shot at office was in 2015 when he was defeated by then-opposition leader Buhari.

    7. President Muhammadu Buhari and his main rival, Atiku Abubakar, are both senior members of the political establishment and come from largely Muslim northern Nigeria.

    8. This year, 10 candidates under the age of 40 have out their names forward following the approved bill, #NotTooYoungToRule campaign.

    9. This election is considered as the next most democratic election exercise carried out in Nigeria after the country’s first democratic transfer of power in 2007.

    10. The election would hold exactly two decades after the end of the military rule.

    Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is a trendsetter for the continent and her elections are widely watched by the continent and international community. The elections would hold on Saturday, February 23, 2019 nationwide.

  • 2019 election not for poor youths

    SIR: When President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Not Too Young To Run Bill into law, many Nigerian youths heaved a sight of relief. They saw it as an opportunity to actively participate or take a shot in the country’s fledging democracy. Since the return of democracy, Nigerian youths have been relegated to the background. They have been prevented or not allowed to showcase their God-given leadership talents. These energetic and productive youths who constitute over 70% of the country’s population have what it takes to steer the country to the promise land. Unfortunately, however, the ruling elites have refused to give them a chance. Nigerian youths, from time immemorial, have been playing passive political roles. They have been turned into political thugs by our political leaders. They are only engaged or hired during election. They will be given dangerous weapons, hard drugs in other to help and rig the election in favour of their sponsors.

    Sadly, after they coasted to victory, these politicians abandon the youths to their fate. The passing of Not Too Young To Run Act has re-kindled the hope that, sooner than later, Nigerian youths would find themselves in the position of authority. The forthcoming 2019 general election would serve as the litmus test for the law. However, the spirit and enthusiasm or passions of Nigerian youths are being gradually killed by political parties. The ongoing sales of nomination forms by various political parties have been greeted with hue and cries. The exorbitant cost of the forms being charged by our political parties has become a matter of public discourse. It is generally viewed as direct attack to the ambition of many promising and intelligent youths. No wonder even President Buhari could not hide his feelings about the cost of the form as he admitted he didn’t possess the N45million to purchase it. At the end, some associates footed the bill and obtained the form for him. If the president could complain about the expensive cost of the form, what about the ordinary poor Nigerian youths who want to try their luck?

    From the way things are unfolding, it seems the political parties in cahoots with the ruling elites are hell-bent on denying the youths their constitutional right to contest. The political parties which served as the platform for leadership recruitment have failed to create a level playing field for the youths to excel in our democratic settings. For the youths who can afford the cost of the forms, they will be confronted with additional challenges of heavy financial war chest to settle the powerful parties’ delegates. Also, they need to become the preferred or anointed candidates of emperor governors to win the parties primaries. These huddles will inevitably discourage the youths from actively participating in politics.

    With the global leadership shift which pays emphasis on youths, political observers had thought Nigeria will toe the line. Emmanuel Macron became the president of France at a young age. In Nigeria, the old politicians who I read their history in the early 70’s and late 80’s are still calling the shots. The poser is: when are will they vacate the space for the younger generation?

    The Not Too Young To Run Act is a charade and scam.

     

    • Ibrahim Mustapha,

     Pambegua, Kaduna State.

  • Ambassador hails Buhari for signing ‘Not-Too-Young-To-Run’ bill

    Nigeria’s Ambassador to the U.S., Justice Sylvanus Nsofor (rtd) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for not excluding his office in signing the ‘Not-Too-Young-to-Run’ bill into law.

    Nsofor, who gave the commendation as a guest speaker at the 2018 International Young Leaders Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, said the youth made up 75 per cent of Nigeria’s population.

    The News Agency of Nigeria  reports that Buhari signed the bill into law in May following its passage by the National Assembly in 2017.

    “Pursuant to the desideratum, President Muhammadu Buhari of The Federal Republic of Nigeria promulgated into law, on the May 31, 2018, ‘Not Too Young to Run Bill’ thereby reducing the age qualification for elective offices or positions but not excepting his position or office,” he said.

    He said based on the Nigerian Census, 2006, the youth population constituted 70 per cent adding, the world population of youth constitutes 25 per cent.

    The Nigerian envoy said the youth of a nation were the “trustees of posterity” and the the “world changers”.

    Nsofor said: “’The youths of today are the leaders of tomorrow’. But I make haste to add, the youths are also ‘partakers of today’.

    “The youth of or in any society or nation play vital and very important roles in shaping its moral tune, fostering the social cohesion, economic prosperity and its political stability.

    “They provide the needed goods and services. I choose to dwell on the ‘Role of Young People in National Development’.

    “The youth – its leadership – cannot and should not be left out in the national or international scheme of things. Indeed, this is an aphorism. They are the world changers. But why?

    “Because only and only because the development of any society or its morality essentially depends on its productive and creative youths (or its leadership). And this, I may say is a ‘sine qua non’”.

    He noted that we could not always build the future for the youth but we could always build the youth for our future by instructing them at childhood in the way they should go and when they grow old, they would not leave it.

    Read Also: Rejected child migrants face worse situation on return – UNICEF

    Noting the theme of the conference, ‘Moral and Innovative Leadership for Peace and Development’, Nsofor said Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote represented a perfect illustration.

    “This Nigerian of whom all are proud, at the early age of 20 years started a small business firm.

    “And today the Dangote Group of Companies of which Alhaji Aliko Dangote is the Chief Executive Officer is the famous successor of that small business firm,” he said.

    He admonished the youth to channel their energy and power, their noble thoughts and ideas into productive, moral, and lawful ventures to contribute meaningfully to the national or international growth, development and economy.

    The Nigerian envoy also urged them to be law abiding adding, “the top and bottom of all the admonition is ‘peace’”.

    Sections 65, 106, 131, 177 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria stipulates that the president has to be at least 40, while senators and state governors have to be aged 35 or above.

    The new law, however, reduced the minimum age for presidential candidates from 40 to 35, and state governors and senators from 35 to 30, while the age limit for state assembly is 25.

  • 2019: Youths commence moves to unseat Buhari

    … Says “We will unveil youths’ candidate in Abuja soon”

     

    Despite the plea by President Muhammadu Buhari while signing the ‘Not Too Young to Run’ bill, on Nigerian youths not to contest presidential race against him, youths have commenced move to unseat the President come 2019.

    The youths however said, they were set to mobilise young Nigerian to actualise ‘young President’ in 2019 and make a national declaration in Abuja to unveil their Presidential candidate for 2019 and fresh people in all positions of power.

    Nigerian youths under the auspices of Intellectual Revolution Group (IRG) made this declaration at Arewa House, Kaduna on Saturday while inaugurating its state executives and zonal leadership for the North West zone.

    Inaugurating the zonal executive, the National Coordinator of IRG, Salaudeen Lukman said, 2019 must usher in ‘Young President’ with proven record of purpose and determination, adding that “old age politician who have milked our dear nation dry must go to rest and assume advisers role. Its a sin to rule their generation and still be forcing themselves on our generation.

    “Our resolve includes mobilizing our teeming youth to form strong ideological political movement that will support ‘Young President’ come 2019.

    “We are aware of ‘First Force’, the Assembly of liars and deceivers, like wise the ‘Second Force’ the assembly of looters, suspects on trial for corruption and other criminal related matters, we equally believe that the newly formulated ‘Third Force’ is a gathering of aggrieved First and Second Force, expired political elites who are desperate to kajole Nigerians again to smuggle themselves into power.

    “Therefore, we rise to appear as ‘Fresh Force’ with total commitment to birth A New Nigeria. We declare recycling of politicians on position of power unacceptable hence we call for its end.

    “Today we have just inaugurated all state executives for the North West States and the zonal leadership, we shall replicate same for other five zones and continue to mobilise young Nigerian to actualise ‘Young President’ come 2019 with national declaration soonest in Abuja to unveil our Presidential candidate for 2019 and fresh people in all positions of power.

    Read Also: Youths protest marginalization in Ondo

    The youths leader continued when he said that, “The rating of our dear nation as poorest in the world and incessant killing of innocent citizens by terrorist boko haram and Fulani herdsmen, massive looting of our common wealth and misplacement of our priority is a pointer to note the failure of government of old generation in old Nigeria from their primary responsibility .

    “We have observed in the recent the coalition of old retired military personnel who are imposing themselves on Nigerians under the guise of repentant democrats to rule us by force again even when they lack innovative programmes and idea to improve our dear citizenry’s living standard.

    “This necessitates our rise as young Nigerians with passion to make Nigeria work again by taking the bull by the horn and champion the course for New Nigeria.

    “The new Nigeria of our dream is a great united Nation where Justice, equity, transparency, rule of law and prosperity for all irrespective of religion, tribe or background will be hallmark. We believe it is achievable with commitment of all young Nigerians to this New Nigeria project.

    “We are sincerely worried with level of decay in our education, poor economy, obsolete infrastructures, arrogant disobedience of court orders, disrespect for rule of law, unstable power supply, nepotism and favoritism characterized in our dear nation day to day activities of government, the increased in crime rate and uncontrollable rise in number of out of school children including *almajiris* call for holistic rescue of our future.

    “It is unfortunate that people who enjoyed free and qualitative education with standard infrastructures in Nigeria those days are the one making education unaffordable for us today.

    “We have resolved to step up beyond social media rants, nagging and complains every time, hence we resolved to get to work in the spirit of way forward to take full control of our future, we hereby commence the Run For a New Nigeria”, Lukman said.

    The Zonal and state executives however took oath office and were given mandate to go and mobilise youths in their thousands from their respective state for their new course.

  • Students hail Buhari for signing Not-Too-Young-To-Run Bill

    Students are excited by President Muhammadu Buhari’s assent to the Not-too-Young-to-Run Bill. They praise him for keeping his promise to sign the law, which has opened up the political space for youths. Students urging the political class to leave office for youths, writes TEMITOPE YAKUBU.

    Youths have made a headway in their clamour for political inclusion.President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the Not-Too-Young-To-Run Act, opening the political space for the young to run for public office.

    He signed the law in line with his Democracy Day promise.

    The bill, which was passed by the National Assembly, 10 months ago, amended Section 131(b) and Section 65 (a) and (b) of the 1999 Constitution on ages for seeking elective positions. It reduced the ages for contesting for President from 40 to 35 years; and House of Assembly, 30 to 25. It retained the ages of 35 and 30 for the Senate and House of Representatives.

    The President signed the law in the presence of some youth leaders led by the Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) founder, Samson Itodo, and National Co-ordinator, Faruk Ibrahim.

    The President described the law as “a landmark progress” for the nation, noting that the activism that led to its passage  showed that the youth could achieve anything they desired if they worked for it.

    He canvassed for additional amendment to reduce the age limits for governors and senators, which were proposed, but not carried. He added that the signing of the law was not the end of the journey, but the beginning of more work to be done in engaging young people in governance.

    In their reactions, youth and students’ leaders hailed the President for keeping his promise, urging him to replace old people in his cabinet with youths in line with the law.

    A youth consultant and key figure in the Ondo State chapter of Not-Too-Young-To-Run movement, Oludaisi Omokungbe,  said the law would make young people realise their leadership potential quickly, rather than being referred to as leaders of tomorrow.

    He said:“It will reduce the level of hooliganism in our politics and bring about increased participation of youths in political process. This is because youths will now have the consciousness that we too can get elected into various political offices in the country rather than being errand boys and area boys for old politicians.

    “For me, the law comes with a huge responsibility, because we must now live up to expectations as responsible and energetic leaders. It is a call for more actions and we are ready to harness our knowledge and initiate ideas that will engender economic growth and national development.”

    Oludaisi said he was confident the nation was set to witness a major leadership shake-up in political and economic spaces.

    Similarly, Comrade Farouk Lawal Umar, the Zone A coordinator of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), said the presidential assent to the bill has reinforced his belief that youths should not wait for the future to be leaders.

    He, however, said it was not yet Uhuru for young people until they forge a comsis”. The development, he said, has presented an opportunity for the youth to become more active in political process.

    He said: “It is time we rescued our nation from the hands of the ineffective politicians, who have successfully plunged this country into development crises. For us in NANS Zone A, the Not-Too-Young-To-Run agenda can only be effective when we support the revolutionary ideas of young people who are vying for various political offices. Our objective can only be achieved if we shun money politics and support credible, tested and competent youths to take up leadership of this country.”

    Also speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Comrade Chuks Obele, Special Assistant to Anambra State Governor on Students’ Matters, said the law has pulled down “key hurdle” preventing the youth from joining politics, noting that it would give young people opportunity to bring their wealth of knowledge to bear in governance.

    According to the former NANS leader, the law should be an opportunity for youths to stand together and leverage their population to cause fundamental change in political leadership.

    Obele said: “This is a wake-up call for students to shun cultism, thuggery and violence in their daily lives; this law has given us a responsibility to be active in politics and stop being used as thugs to derail our democracy. I appeal to political parties to give the much needed support to young people interested in contesting for political positions.”

    To Comrade Godson Okereke, NANS Zone B coordinator, the signing of the bill into law by President Buhari was timely and will serve as political awakening to young Nigerians.

    “It has, to an extent, stirred up the consciousness of youths and students in area of seeking elective offices, but that is not enough because majority of young people are financially incapable to execute political campaign, even though we are excited about the bill,” he said.

    Godson believed that the government was insincere in its approach to open the political space for the youth, noting that the president and most of state governors had failed to appoint youths within the new age limit into their cabinets.

    He said: “Personally, I believe the new law does not have the political will required for youth participation in governance. The only way I can be sure that this move is sincere is when we start seeing the president and governors appointing young people into sensitive positions.

    “As women are given certain percentage to balance gender equality, let the youths also be given this opportunity. It is only then the Not-Too-Young-To-Run agenda would be highly productive and meaningful. I am excited that age is no longer a hindrance against young Nigerians, but we must be sincere as a nation if we really want the young to contribute meaningfully to governance.”

    Former Senate President of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), Comrade Lukman Salahudeen, was of the opinion that the law should naturally make old politicians retire and leave the space for young people. He said the present crop of politicians are bereft of ideas and innovation to lead the country in modern times, saying opportunity should be given to the youth to run the country.

    He said: “Having witnessed five general elections in this democratic dispensation, people would agree with me that the richest candidates get the party tickets and carry the day at the end of general elections. None of the previous elections we have had was never free, fair or credible as history has it that only 1993 election was the last credible election Nigeria held.

    “Now that we are all qualified to run age-wise, what young people can do to beat the old politicians in their game is to collect their money to gain access to power. The money collected can be used to effect the needed change in our method of governance.”

    Delta State University (DESLU) Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Okpako Oghenevwegba, said the bill showed President Buhari’s commitment to the dreams of youths to realise their leadership potential.

    He said: “This good deed by President Buhari will encourage the youths to employ all positive means to actualise our dreams to be part of political process and governance. We don’t want to be stereotyped as political thugs anymore. We are now partners in nation building.”

    Sodiq Muritala, a member of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti (ADO POLY) Students’ Caretaker Committee, said President Buhari deserved accolades for signing the bill into law. According to him, the president has demonstrated that the youth should no longer be spectators in nation building.

    He urged students to support youths vying for elective positions and encouraged them to participate in electoral process.

    Acting President of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) SUG, Ifeoma Okogwu, described the development as “a democratic victory” for the youth and students.

    Ifeoma called for caution, noting that development may be a gimmick by President Buhari to regain young people’s support in the wake of the backlash that trailed his recent comment against the youth.

    Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Efurun (FUPRE) SUG president, Emmanuel Ohanwe, described President Buhari’s intention to sign the bill as “a political strategy”.

    He asked: “Why should the president sign the bill and still plead with young people to postpone their campaigns till after 2019 election? This alone showed that this is a political gimmick to deceptively project a pro-youth impression which never exists.”

    Emmanuel advised the government to adjust the cost of buying nomination forms and run political campaign.

  • Buhari, legislature, hailed on passage of Not-too-Young to run bill into law

    A constitutional lawyer, Prince Orji Nwafor-Orizu, has commended the legislature and executive for passing the Not Too Young to Run bill into law.

    Nwafor-Orizu urged the lawmakers and those who have the interest of the country and Nigerians at heart to continue the struggle until universal adult suffrage was strictly adhered to in the country in line with international practice.

    He said this in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja.

    The lawyer said the signing of the Bill into law showed that Nigeria was on its march through political highway to democracy.

    According to him, the signing of the bill into law was a sign that the president and legislature have the interest of the youths at heart.

    He noted that the development would motivate young and energetic Nigerians into governance of the country as is done in other countries of the world.

    The statement reads: “Nigeria is on its march through the political highway to democracy. Politicians and political parties may claim that they initiated or signed the Bill into Law. They may however be right or wrong, but all I know is that 1999 constitution and constitutions in Nigeria pegging age limit has been issue of discourse among Nigerians over the years.

    “This popular and people-oriented Bill/Net must in our political history as one of the greatest achievements of the National Assembly and the Presidency in this administration. It is a sign that both arms have interest of the youth at heart. I wish such national issues will always bring their patriotic minds together. 

    “I urge the National Assembly to look into this Act with eye for further amendments. The present amendment on age is discretionary and not backed by any scientific  or constitutional consideration or international practice.

    “Nigerian Constitution and Electoral Laws peg the age of voting at 18 years. This is the scientific age adopted by the international practice as age of reason which is referred to as Universal Adult Suffrage. This is the age to vote and be voted for as accepted in the political clime all over the world.

    “By limiting age to hold political office to 25 years, Nigerian government is sending wrong signal to its citizens and the world that Nigerians have shifted their Universal Adult Suffrage from 18 years to 25.

    “If 25 years is the age of reasoning in Nigeria, then persons between the ages of 18 and 24 are not expected to vote for the office of state House of assembly or indeed any office. If one can’t be voted for because of underage, that person can’t vote for another who is older.

    “Again, if the National Assembly is bold enough to go against international practice and peg the lower age, the legislature should also peg the upper age limit or it will become discriminatory.

    “My suggestion is that the law should be brought in line with Adult Suffrage. The electorate is to choose whom they want. There may be 23 or 24 years old or even 18 years candidate preferred to an older person.”

  • Osun Assembly backs ‘Not Too Young To Run’ Bill

    Osun Assembly backs ‘Not Too Young To Run’ Bill

    The Osun House of Assembly has expressed support for the “Not Too Young To Run Bill”.

    It said the nation could achieve more through the agility and dynamism of its youth population.

    The Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Strategy Olatunbosun Oyintiloye said this yesterday in Osogbo, the state capital.

    The bill, already passed by the National Assembly last July, reduces the age of aspirants for President from 40 to 30 years; governor, from 35 to 30 years and Senate, from 35 to 30 years.

    It also reduced the age of those vying for a seat in the House of Representatives and state Assemblies from 30 to 25 years.

    The bill requires the backing of at least 24 Houses of Assembly for it to become a law.

    Oyintiloye (APC-Obokun), who confirmed that the Assembly had received the bill, said the lawmakers would take appropriate action on it.

    He said: “The Osun Assembly’s disposition to the bill is positive.

    “If you are following up with the activities of the Assembly, you will come to terms and agree that the Assembly strongly believes in youth engagement and youth inclusion in governance.

    “The trend worldwide favours this paradigm shift and our youths are no less qualified to demonstrate their capacity to be part of the game as well as raise the bar for social stability.

    “Youths, therefore, should not only brace up but showcase their talents and exhibit positive attitude to take advantage of the opportunity provided by this constitutional development.”

     

  • 16 States passed ‘Not Too Young To Run Bill’ so far

    16 States passed ‘Not Too Young To Run Bill’ so far

    About 16 states of the federation have so far passed the not too young to run bill to give legal backing to agitations to reduce the age of eligibility to contest for political offices in the country, the Not Too Young to Run Movement has said.

    The group also said that data from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) indicate that about 52 percent of registered voters are young Nigerians between the ages of 18 to 35, pointing out that they will co tinge to mobilize more young people across the country to participate in the ongoing continuous voter registration exercise.

    Addressing a news conference in Abuja yesterday, Coordinator of the group, Samuel Itodo said it was disappointing that the Taraba state House of Assembly refused to pass the bill after it was transmitted to them by the National Assembly.

    Both the Senate and House of Representatives has passed the Not Too Young to Run bill which was passed as part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process, while awaiting concurrence from the state Houses of Assembly.

    Itodo said while only eight states are needed to attain the mandatory two third pass it, there was the need for the remaining states that were yet to pass the bill to do so without delay as posterity will judge them.

    He said: “The Not Too Young To Run movement is a movement of youth and civil society groups advocating for the reduction of age for running for elective offices to mainstream young men and women in electoral politics. Not Too Young To Run is Nigeria’s largest and most successful youth movement in recent times. 

    “The 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, transformative leadership and electoral competitiveness in the electoral process.

    “Since the #NotTooYoungToRun bill was transmitted to the 36 states House of Assemblies along with other constitutional amendment bills, at least 16 states have passed the bill. Recall that in December 2017, the National Assembly transmitted 15 constitutional amendment bills to the states for passage. 

    “The Ondo state House of Assembly became the first state assembly to pass the Not Too Young to Run (age reduction) bill as part of the constitutional amendment, followed closely by the Adamawa, Kwara, Benue and Nasarawa State Houses of Assembly who also passed the Not Too Young To Run bill. Borno, Delta, Enugu, Ekiti, Katsina, Yobe and Gombe state assemblies also passed bill in December 2017.

    “In January 2018, the Kogi state House of Assembly passed the age reduction bill (Not Too Young To Run) while in February 2018, the Bauchi and Jigawa state Houses of Assembly passed the bill. Yesterday, February 6th, 2018, Ebonyi state also joined the Hall of Fame by passing the Not Too Young To Run bill.

    “These states listed above have been inaugurated into the Not Too Young To Run Hall of Fame for voting in line with aspirations of the Nigerian people. By this singular act, the 16 youth friendly states have made history and written their names in gold. The passage of Not Too Young To Run is a demonstration of their commitment to the tenets of representative democracy. 

    “We commend them for fulfilling their promise to their constituents and the Nigerian youth. Nigerian youth will always remember them for showing leadership in promoting youth inclusion in democratic politics in Nigeria. Posterity will be fair to them.

    “The movement would like to register its disappointment with the Taraba State House of Assembly for voting against the age reduction bill. On the 20th December 2017, 11 members of the House voted against the bill making it impossible for the house to pass the bill. 

    “It is unfortunate that majority of State Assembly members voted against the will of the people of Taraba despite assurances of its passage by the entire house. We appreciate the 6 members of the House of Assembly who voted for the bill. Thank you for standing in defense of the constitutional right of young people to participate in politics by contesting for elective office. Posterity also will be fair to you.

    “The movement commends the House of Representatives for passing an amendment to Section 85 of the Electoral Act 2010 As amended to the effect that political parties are compelled to ensure the position of youth leaders must be occupied by persons between the age of 18 and 35 years. 

    “This amendment is in tandem with the philosophy of Not Too Young To Run. We urge the National Assembly to expedite action on concluding all electoral and constitutional amendments as the 2019 elections is less 373 days.

    “According to Section 9 (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) a constitutional amendment requires approval by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly. 

    “The Not Too Young To Run bill needs at least 8 more states to meet this constitutional threshold! The Movement uses this opportunity to call on the 19 states house of assemblies who are yet to pass the bill to emulate their colleagues by voting YES for the bill. An affirmative Vote for the bill will be another historic step to secure the future of Youths and indeed the next generation.

    “As we prepare for the 2019 general elections the imperative for youth inclusion especially as candidates for all elective positions is not a matter for debate but a constitutional imperative. The Movement demands that the state Houses of Assembly speedily pass the Not Too Young To Run bill.”

    Itodo said further that the 2019 elections present an opportunity for young people to assert their power not only as voters or campaign merchants but as qualified electoral candidates. The movement is therefore committed to inspiring and supporting more youth candidates with content and character to run for office through its Ready To Run initiative and other interventions aimed at promoting youth candidacy in the next elections.

     He said the Not Too Young To Run bill will be a precondition for young Nigerians voting for political leaders, pointing out that the lawmakers must uphold internal party democracy to safeguard the emergence of more youth candidates in 2019 and most importantly commit to non-violent elections.

    They call on the 20 state assemblies yet to pass the bill to urgently pass the constitutional amendment especially the Age Reduction bill in the interest of Nigeria and our democracy.