By Our Correspondent
Netherlands-based Nigerian environmental rights activist, Comrade Sunny Ofehe has thrown his weight behind the “Not Too Young To Run Bill” before the National Assembly.
Speaking at a conference organized by Niger Delta Initiative in Austria, Ofehe said that if the bill is passed, it will guarantee equal opportunity and participation of 60 percent of Nigeria’s population in the political process.
According to him, for democracy to thrive, a level playing field must be created for all citizens to participate as voters and candidates respectively.
He averred that structures of governance must be open for youths if they are to contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities.
According to him, the constitutional amendment bill for young people to participate in governance if passed, it will address the legal challenge posed to young people seeking to run in elections thereby guaranteeing inclusion in our political process.
Ofehe who spoke on the topic: “Empowering Youths For Good Governance In Nigeria”, in a statement on Wednesday to newsmen after the event said that youths seeking political office encounter difficulties in clinching party candidature due to undemocratic primaries, imposition/substitution of candidates and disregard for democratic norms and principles.
He said that in Nigeria’s pre-independence struggle pioneered by young nationalists like Dr. Herbert Macaulay, Ernest Ikoli, Chief H.O Davies, J.C Vaughan, Oba Samuel Akinsanya, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, was achievable because youths were given the chance to take an active part in the decision-making at local, national and global levels hence the Nigerian nationalists, reported to be in their youthful age were able to led the independence struggle.
Given a chronological details of why youths should be allowed to participate in active democratic governance, the activist said that after several years of military dictatorship, young people were the ones who visibly fought for the struggle for the return to democracy.
“They played active roles in organizing as civil society activists, leading peaceful demonstrations, hosting public debates, writing papers and articles against military dictatorships.
“The sustenance of democracy has also received tremendous youth contributions especially in the areas of election management, democratic accountability, as well as peace and security.
He therefore urged youths to wakeup and demand for their right, build their leadership capacity, so that they can actively get involved in the democratic process of governance of the country.
While calling for constitutional amendment to create room for youth inclusion in democratic governance, Ofehe urged the National Assembly to ensure that the ‘Not Too Young To Run Bill’, which has gone through the second reading at the House of Representatives is passed.
“Let’s amend the relevant section of the constitution and create a level-playing field for young people, it will enhance the competitiveness of electoral politics in Nigeria, it will instill innovation, creativity, dynamism and resourcefulness of the youths to Nation building”, he added.
He also canvassed for institutional capacity development for youth, among others to enable young Nigerians acquire the relevant experience for improved governance both at the local, state and national levels.
