By; MOHAMMED MUNIRAT NASIR, Gusau.
Youth organizations in Zamfara State under the aegis of Not Too Young To Run, have called on the state Assembly to urgently pass the Age Reduction Bill or forget the votes of the youth in 2019.
The Not Too Young Run Movement said they are 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.
Speaking to newsmen in Gusau, the state Coordinator of the movement, Anas Sanusi Gusau said youths have greater role to play in participating in various development activities in the country.
”As we prepare for the 2019 general elections, the imperative of youths inclusion especially as candidates for all elective positions is not a matter for debate but a constitutional issue,” he said.
The Coordinator added data from the Independent National Electoral Commission ((INEC) indicates that about 52% of registered voters are young people between the ages 18-35 years.
“The reason why we are advocating for the passage of these bills is because of their impact in protecting the interest of youths and people at low level to participate in political and leadership issues in the country,” he said.
Gusau added that 23 out of the 36 state assemblies across the country had so far adopted the age reduction bill.
“We urge the National Assembly to transmit the constitution amendment bills to the President for assent as soon as the amendments are received from the states. Any further delay will not only undermine Nigeria’s democracy but could negatively impact on the 2019 elections,” he said.
He claimed youths have greater role to play in various development activities in the country.
“The 2019 elections present an opportunity for young people to assert their power not only as voters or campaign merchants but as qualified candidates,” he declared.
