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Tag: Youth Party

  • Youth Party warns against exploiting insecurity along religious lines

    Youth Party warns against exploiting insecurity along religious lines

    The Youth Party has warned that Nigeria’s security challenges must not be framed or exploited along religious lines.

    It expressed cautious approval of the United States military strike against Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists operating in the Northwest.

    In a statement by its Acting National Publicity Secretary, Sope Durodola, the party reacted to claims by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said on Thursday that he ordered a “powerful and deadly strike” against ISIS elements in Nigeria.

    Youth Party said it acknowledged the grave security threat posed by ISIS-affiliated groups and other terrorist organisations whose activities have continued to destabilise communities and claim innocent lives across several parts of Nigeria.

    The party noted that any credible international support aimed at degrading terrorist networks and protecting civilians was welcome, especially in the context of Nigeria’s prolonged battle with insurgency, banditry, and violent extremism.

    However, it cautioned that terrorism in Nigeria should never be portrayed as a religious conflict, warning that such narratives could deepen divisions in an already fragile and diverse nation.

    According to the Youth Party, extremist violence in Nigeria has claimed the lives of Christians, Muslims, and people of other faiths alike, stressing that terrorism remains a crime against humanity rather than an attack on a particular religion.

    The party expressed concern over the symbolic timing of the reported strike, warning that linking military actions to religious events could inflame tensions and undermine national unity.

    It stressed that Nigeria’s insecurity cuts across ethnic, regional, and religious boundaries, and urged that any external intervention must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and be guided strictly by the protection of innocent lives.

    The Youth Party called on the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take full responsibility for the country’s security challenges and intensify efforts to flush out terrorists and criminal gangs without harming law-abiding citizens.

    Read Also: Nigerians urged on peaceful co-existence

    It urged the Tinubu-led administration to adopt a more proactive, intelligence-driven, and people-focused security strategy, rather than relying on reactive measures after attacks have already occurred.

    The party further emphasised that counter-terrorism operations must be carried out with professionalism and respect for human rights, warning against collective punishment, excessive use of force, or actions that could alienate local communities.

    According to the party, insecurity thrives where poverty, exclusion, weak governance, and lack of opportunity persist, adding that military action alone cannot address the deeper structural causes of violence in the country.

    The Youth Party called for urgent investment in education, youth employment, social welfare, and inclusive governance as part of a holistic approach to national security.

    It also urged Nigeria’s international partners to focus on intelligence sharing, capacity building, and humanitarian assistance, rather than actions that could polarise the population or externalise Nigeria’s internal challenges.

    The party warned that Nigeria must not become a theatre for religiously framed global conflicts.

    It reaffirmed its commitment to a united country where security is guaranteed without prejudice and all lives are valued equally.

  • By-elections: Youth Party offers rebate for women, youth aspirants

    By-elections: Youth Party offers rebate for women, youth aspirants

    The Youth Party has released its guidelines and timetable for primary elections ahead of the bye-elections scheduled for August 16, 2025.

    To ensure transparency and inclusivity, the party would adopt a one-member, one-vote (OMOV) system in which all registered party members will have equal voting rights, with no provision for delegates or super delegates.

    The sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms will run from July 7 to July 17, 2025, followed by the screening of aspirants on July 18, 2025.

    Appeals on screening outcomes will be heard on July 19, while primary elections will be conducted on July 20, with any appeals arising from the primaries scheduled for July 21, 2025.

    Nomination forms are available online at https://youthpartyng.com/elections/ during the sales period.

    The cost of nomination is as follows: N750,000 for Senate aspirants, N250,000 for the House of Representatives, and N125,000 for the House of Assembly.

    To promote inclusivity, the party has approved a 50 per cent discount on the nomination fee for women, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and youths aged 25 to 40 years.

    Read Also: Buhari’s death a major loss to Nigeria, Africa, says Shettima 

    All payments must be made directly into the designated party account.

    The party said the primaries will be conducted electronically via online and SMS voting platforms.

    The process will be secured and monitored by both party agents and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure compliance with electoral standards of secrecy and transparency.

    The party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) assured that party registers and constituency voter lists will be made available to all aspirants without discrimination, reinforcing its promise to maintain a level playing field for all contestants.

    Reaffirming its broader mission, the Youth Party urged aspirants and voters to join the movement via www.youthpartyng.com/join-movement, stating: “The party promotes transparent political leadership and responsible followership.

    “We stand firmly against money politics, bribery, violence, short-termism, repression, and corruption.”

    The guidelines comply with the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and INEC regulations.

  • Youth Party seeks autonomous electoral offences commission

    Youth Party seeks autonomous electoral offences commission

    The Youth Party has urged the National Assembly to enact an Electoral Offences Commission Act.

    It said the commission should be empowered to investigate and prosecute all electoral offences.

    The party made the call in a memorandum to the National Assembly Joint Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Electoral Matters.

    The memo was signed by its National Chairman Dr. Umar Muhammad, National Secretary Helen Adoh and National Policy & Strategy director Ayiba Amadu.

    Youth Party urged the National Assembly to ensure the independence of the proposed electoral offences commission by giving it financial autonomy and removing it from the operational control of the Attorney-General of the Federation and of the states.

    The party also urged the National Assembly to create a specialised electoral offences court with divisions across the federation to be guided by special rules on speedy trials.

    It called for the use of new technology, such as surveillance drones, to facilitate real-time incident reporting during elections.

    The party sought periodic specialised training for security forces to combat electoral violence and delineate their roles during elections.

    The party stated that political offices are public trusts and persons elected into these offices become public trustees.

    It stressed that a trustee must be a person of character and integrity.

    “It is, therefore, our belief that for the advancement of the common good and to ensure that only persons of integrity and unquestionable character are elected into public offices, there is a need to amend the Constitution to disqualify persons who have pending criminal cases against them from vying for public offices,” Youth Party said.

    Read Also: Democracy must be preserved, says Youth Party

    While the party conceded that there are many arguments against this, it submitted that the dangers of allowing such persons to run for office are considerable.

    The statement argued: “For instance, a person under trial for the murder of 10 Nigerians may contest and win an election even from the prison as we have witnessed in this country.

    “Upon being elected, he becomes immune from criminal trials by virtue of section 308 of the 1999 Constitution as amended. He is also almost sure of serving a second term.

    “Thus, for eight years, he will not return to the courts to face trial.

    “In addition, a governor is in charge of the Ministry of Justice, which is the prosecutorial authority.

    “The Ministry of Justice through the Director of Public Prosecution is expected to prosecute him or her (the governor or president) after his or her tenure of office.

    “The danger of tampering with evidence and witnesses is real than imagined.

    “For instance, he is the person that appoints and removes at his own wish the Attorney General that is supposed to prosecute him.

    “The person upon election takes charge of the Police and other Prosecutorial agencies and appoints their heads.

    “For instance, a person who is under trial for corruption becomes directly in charge of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission if he is elected President.

    “Furthermore, all the witnesses, especially those that are civil servants, also come under his power to hire and fire.

    “With all these considerations, it is apparent that such a person may utilise state powers to frustrate his trial.

    “This is not healthy as it results in persons who are not trustworthy occupying positions of public trust.

    “Many may argue that this proposal will constitute a violation of the right to fair hearing and innocence until proven guilty, but the greater and common good of all Nigerians demands that such persons should not be allowed to vie for public office until they are cleared.

    “The right of such candidates begins and ends where the right of Nigerians to good governance starts.”

    The party added that pre-election matters relating to the eligibility of candidates should be given the same expeditious hearing and status as election petitions.

    It argued that sections 66, 107, 131 and 177 of the Constitution should be amended to allow the court to consider applications by INEC or any other person on candidates’ eligibility.

  • 2019: ‘Only seven political parties have submitted lists of candidates’

    …To publish names of candidates latest 25 October, 2018

    ….Parties who present unqualified candidates liable to N 500,000 fine

    Only seven political parties have so far submitted the list of their nominated candidates for the 2019 general elections, to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), 24 hours to close of submission date, it was learnt.

    INEC had announced October 18th, 2018 as the last day for the political parties to submit their list.

    But as at 7 pm on Tuesday, only seven political parties have complied with the rule out of 89 that informed the commission about their primaries.

    The parties include: Youth Party, Hope Party, National Democratic Liberty Party, Change Advocacy Party, Peoples Progressive Party, Peoples Democratic Movement and the Democratic People’s Party.

    Section 31 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended, states that every political party shall summit the list of their candidates not later than 60 days before the fixed date for a general election.

    It states, “Every political party shall not later than 60 days before the date appointed for a general election under the provisions of this Act, submit to the Commission in the prescribed forms the list of the candidates the party proposes to sponsor at the elections, provided that the Commission shall not reject or disqualify candidate (s) for any reason whatsoever.”

    Section 31 (2) also further stated that each of the candidates form be accompanied by an Affidavit sworn by the camp dictates at the High Court, indicating that he has fulfilled all the constitutional requirements for election into that office.

    Findings also revealed that most of the political parties are waiting for the last day which is tomorrow before submitting their list.

    According to a source at the Commission, some of the parties were still trying to sort out some internal issues.

    The source said, “As you can see, our officials have been mostly idle since last week because only about seven political parties have submitted their lists. Even some new parties that don’t have up to 10 candidates across the country are also wasting time.

    “Once it is a day to the deadline or the last day, you will see how all of them will race down to this place, putting us under undue pressure.”

     Meanwhile, INEC is expected to publish the names and particulars of all nominated candidates at the constituency where they intends to contest the election within seven days of receipts of the list, according to Section 31(3) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended. To this, the name of the Presidential candidates and their vice would be published in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    It states, ” The commission shall, within 7 days of the receipt of the personal particulars of the candidates, publish same in the constituency where the candidate intends to contest the election.”

    Read Also: Okowa advocates alternative funding for INEC

    This, the Act pointed out is to make room for disclaimer, as stated in Section 31(5) “A person who has reasonable grounds to believe that any information given by a candidate in the affidavit or any document submitted by that candidate is false may file suit at the Federal High Court, High Court of a state or FCT against such person seeking a declaration that the information contained in the affidavit is false.”

    Though, INEC has no power to disqualify any candidate, however, if the court determines that any of the information contained in the affidavit is false, the court shall disqualify the candidate from contesting.

    Besides, a political party which presents unqualified candidate is liable to a fine of N500,000 according to Section 31(8) of the electoral Act.

  • Youth Party removes barrier for aspiring youths

    The Acting National Chairman of the Youth Party (YP), Mr. Suleiman Yusuf, has said  the party will give opportunities to youths to make their contributions to the development of the country.

    He said the youths have been marginalised for long, noting that the newly-registered party would break the barrier that has kept the youth on the back seat.

    Yusuf added that the YP was compelled to seek registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the hurdles faced by youths because they wanted to serve their fatherland.

    The Acting National Chairman, who expressed optimism after receiving the party’s registration certificate from INEC in Abuja, said Nigerians irrespective of age were free to contest election for any position under the platform.

    He said: “Let me say that this is not a party for moneybags. We are set to expand the restrictive democratic space through transparent political leadership and followership. The YP will eschew money politics, bribery, violence, rigging and corruption.

    “The party’s ideals and policies will focus on developing and improving the standard of living of Nigerians. The party aims to rebuild Nigeria through generational change in political leadership.”

    Yusuf maintained that the YP has offices in 28 states of the federation, including Abuja, stressing that with 5,664 members, the party was set to break new grounds.

    He said the party was not founded by career politicians, but by people of different backgrounds noted for their moral ideological goals.

    “The cardinal agenda of the YP which include quality basic education, universal healthcare, social housing and commitment to internal democracy will give Nigerians the opportunity to express themselves and determine the Nigeria of their dream.”

     

  • Youth Party removes barrier for aspiring youths

    The Acting National Chairman of the Youth Party (YP), Mr. Suleiman Yusuf, has said  the party will give opportunities to youths to make their contributions to the development of the country.

    He said the youths have been marginalised for long, noting that the newly-registered party would break the barrier that has kept the youth on the back seat.

    Yusuf added that the YP was compelled to seek registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the hurdles faced by youths because they wanted to serve their fatherland.

    The Acting National Chairman, who expressed optimism after receiving the party’s registration certificate from INEC in Abuja, said Nigerians irrespective of age were free to contest election for any position under the platform.

    He said: “Let me say that this is not a party for moneybags. We are set to expand the restrictive democratic space through transparent political leadership and followership. The YP will eschew money politics, bribery, violence, rigging and corruption.

    “The party’s ideals and policies will focus on developing and improving the standard of living of Nigerians. The party aims to rebuild Nigeria through generational change in political leadership.”

    Yusuf maintained that the YP has offices in 28 states of the federation, including Abuja, stressing that with 5,664 members, the party was set to break new grounds.

    He said the party was not founded by career politicians, but by people of different backgrounds noted for their moral ideological goals.

    “The cardinal agenda of the YP which include quality basic education, universal healthcare, social housing and commitment to internal democracy will give Nigerians the opportunity to express themselves and determine the Nigeria of their dream.”

  • Youth Party removes barrier for aspiring youths

    The Acting National Chairman of the Youth Party (YP), Mr. Suleiman Yusuf, has said  the party will give opportunities to youths to make their contributions to the development of the country.

    He said the youths have been marginalised for long, noting that the newly-registered party would break the barrier that has kept the youth on the back seat.

    Yusuf added that the YP was compelled to seek registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the hurdles faced by youths because they wanted to serve their fatherland.

    The Acting National Chairman, who expressed optimism after receiving the party’s registration certificate from INEC in Abuja, said Nigerians irrespective of age were free to contest election for any position under the platform.

    He said: “Let me say that this is not a party for moneybags. We are set to expand the restrictive democratic space through transparent political leadership and followership. The YP will eschew money politics, bribery, violence, rigging and corruption.

    “The party’s ideals and policies will focus on developing and improving the standard of living of Nigerians. The party aims to rebuild Nigeria through generational change in political leadership.”

    Yusuf maintained that the YP has offices in 28 states of the federation, including Abuja, stressing that with 5,664 members, the party was set to break new grounds.

    He said the party was not founded by career politicians, but by people of different backgrounds noted for their moral ideological goals.

    “The cardinal agenda of the YP which include quality basic education, universal healthcare, social housing and commitment to internal democracy will give Nigerians the opportunity to express themselves and determine the Nigeria of their dream.”