The Not Too Young To Run Ambassadors has given the states House of Assemblies, National Assembly and the executive arm of government 30 days to conclude the ongoing constitution amendment process.
The President of the youth movement, Ambassador AbdulRasheed Yusuf, who gave the ultimatum, said the needed amendment would enable capable members of the younger generation to vie for political offices.
Speaking through the General Secretary, Ambassador Awal Dele Muhammad, the president said at a rally tagged “Youths are not the Problem, We are the solution” that without the amendment it would be impossible for the youth to reach out.
Yusuf also asked political parties to uphold the principles of internal democracy, transparency and accountability. He said that with the passage of Not Too Young To Run Bill, more youths will seek political offices in the coming general elections.
However, Muhammed called on President Muhammad Buhari to assent to the constitution amendment bill, especially the age reduction bill as soon as the bills are transmitted to him for assent.
Yusuf who asked the National Assembly to transmit the constitution amendments to the President for assent, charged the National Assembly to veto the President if he delay or declines assent to the bill.
According to him, with the Not Too Young To Run Bill, the youths are fully prepared to seek elective positions in the next year’s polls and stressed the need for political parties to ensure internal party democracy to safeguard the emergence of youth candidates in next year’s polls.
Yusuf commended the leadership of the National Assembly 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.
