As the 2023 general elections draw closer, politicians are consulting and building alliances with particular regions demanding the zoning of certain offices even as case is being made in some quarters for increased youth participation. In this report, ABDULRAHMAN ZAKARIYAU examines the chances of the Nigerian youth in the forthcoming elections.
The population of Nigeria, which is touted as the most populous Africa country, is dominated by the youth, even as the United Nations report indicate that Nigeria is expected to be the world’s third most populous country by 2050 with 400 million inhabitants.
Interestingly, about 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population are below the age of 35 and are in the position to decide who becomes what in Nigeria’s political landscape. It is therefore crucial that young people are participate actively and are represented in the country’s political systems.
After the 2015 general elections there has been much agitation for Nigeria Youths to democratically take over the mantle of the country’s leadership.
The agitation became even louder in 2017 and to a large extent influenced the signing into law the Not Too Young To Run Act in 2018.
The Act was passed by the National Assembly some times in 2017 to alter Sections 65, 106, 131, 177 of the Constitution basically to reduce the age for running for the position of the president from 40 to 30; governor from 35 to 30; senator from 35 to 30; House of Representative from 30 to 25 and State House of Assembly membership from 30 to 25.
This was a remarkable achievement for young people in the country as it meant that they had more opportunities for running for office.
This achievement may have gingered many Nigerian youths to present themselves for more elective position during the 2019 elections.
Though many youths contested for seats in the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as for the position of governors and even the president it was disappointing to see that most could not win even party tickets due to so many factors.
Indications are that factors including paucity of funds, poor strategy and choice of platforms, lack of unity of purpose among the young aspirants, which may have accounted for the inability of the youth to emerge as candidates in the two major political parties, APC and PDP.
As the 2023 general elections draw nearer with political parties unveiling plans for Nigeria Youths, most of the factors that affected the chances of the young Nigerians have not changed.
This is the same old and known faces are the ones seen consulting and promoting themselves for different offices.
PDP, APC give hope to Nigeria Youths
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has assured the Nigerian youth that they have hope and opportunities to become what they want to become politically under the umbrella of the party.
The Chairman, PDP 2019 Election Review Committee, Senator Bala Mohammed, said the clamour for inclusion and good governance can only be ignored to the peril of the party and indeed Nigeria.
Bala, who is the governor of Bauchi state, explained that: “Cognisant of the generational and gender shifts all over the globe and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerians who are not held down by religion, ethnicity or such other primordial considerations but who are determined to mainstream the country into global best practices; the party should set aside, a certain percentage of elective and appointive offices, for the youth and women.
“The EndSARS movement, a few months back, was the testimony we needed, that a new generation of young, bold, ambitious and detribalized Nigerians have taken centre-stage and that their legitimate clamour for inclusion and good governance can only be ignored to the peril of the party and indeed Nigeria.”
The committee chairman also stated that, “The party must strongly resolve to promote internal democracy, discourage godfatherism and ensure that the will of the people prevail, in the choice of candidates to run for electoral positions.
“That, in our view, is the pedestal upon which electoral success can be seamlessly sustained. Our great party should continue to lead by example. Our records, which ushered in an era of economic growth, was only possible because we had members in elected and appointed positions who performed very well.
“It goes without saying that those of us who are privileged to hold offices, at this point, must see themselves as the image-makers of the party whose actions or inactions could determine the future success or otherwise of the party.”
Similarly, there are indications that the PDP may offer its nomination forms free of charge to contestants less than 35 years in the 2023 general elections.
The proposal was part of the recommendation by the party’s National Reconciliation and Strategy Committee (NRSC) chaired by the former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.
However, candidates who fall within the age bracket would still be required to pay the Expression of Interest fee, which is far lower than nomination fees for all categories of the election.
It is worth noting that in the 2019 general elections, the PDP presidential aspirants paid N2 million for Expression of Interest and N10 million for nomination form while the governorship aspirants paid N1m for Expression of Interest and N5m for Nomination form.
Similarly, for the Senate aspirants paid N500,000 for Expression of Interest and N3.5 million for Nomination form, just as Representatives aspirants paid N500,000 for Expression of Interest and N1 million for Nomination form.
For the House of Assembly, it was N100,000 for Expression of Interest and N500,000 for Nomination form.
In a letter by the Chairman, NRSC, dated March 25, 2021, and addressed to the National Chairman, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, the committee also prescribed age limits for people to be elected as youth leaders at the ward, local, state and national levels.
The Saraki-led committee pegged the age limit for anyone wishing to contest as a youth leader at 35 years and advised the National Working Committee (NWC) to immediately pass the recommendation to the National Executive Committee (NEC).
On the other hand, the ruling APC has said it would give the youth more opportunity than any other party in Nigeria.
The Chairman, APC Youth, Women and PLWDS Mobilisation Committee, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state, said more youths had registered in the recent registration exercise by the party.
He said, “APC is for the Nigeria youth, youths own the party. This is evident in the on-going party registration exercise. APC as a party will give the Nigeria youth more leadership opportunities.”
We’re consulting, strategising – NYCN
The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has said there was hope for Nigerian youths that are willing to contest for elective position in the 2023 general elections.
NYCN, President, Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, in a chat with our correspondent said the apex youth body in Nigeria was consulting with youth leaders across the country.
“The youths are a critical stakeholder in project Nigeria. We have the strength, knowledge, capacity and even the number to determine the outcome of any election in this country. We have done it many times, we will do it again. This is time for youth candidates.
“We have seen many Nigerian politicians, the same people who have been ruling this country for year’s moving from one place to another, all in an effort to continue to rule us in 2023.
“The next general election will be different, it is Youth o clock. Parties that will produce old men as its candidates will find it difficult to win. 2020 is for Youth top to down,” he said.
Speaking further he said, “We are meeting with critical shareholders and youth leaders from across the country. Very soon we shall unveil some of our programmes that are packaged in a way that Youths shall support their fellow youths.
“We have a strategy and we are still strategising but we cannot reveal our strategy. One thing I can confidently tell you is that there is hope for the Nigerian youth in 2023.
“Our Youths are registering for political parties of their choice. As a matter of fact, youths will take over the two major political parties by the end of this year, when both APC and PDP would have concluded the elective party convention.
“We know it will be challenging and very demanding, but we are optimistic that with the support of the entire people of this country, we shall have competent youths in the corridor of power after the 2023 general election.”
Buhari backs youths.
President Muhammadu Buhari has assured youths in the country of his full support for them to grow in politics.
The President noted that, ‘‘Young people owe this country the responsibility to deploy their energy and creativity in every field health, science, education, sports, agriculture, etc and bring up innovations that would be in tandem with the changing dynamics of the world.
‘‘Young people owe this country the responsibility to deploy their energy and creativity in every field health, science, education, sports, agriculture, etc – and bring up innovations that would be in tandem with the changing dynamics of the world.”
President Buhari, who restated his belief that politics was a game of numbers, insisted that political power belonged to the people and assured the youths of more party and government policies that will accommodate their interests.
“While I will be looking forward to a more robust engagement with young people across the country, I wish to emphasize to you all that in me, you have a major supporter.
“I will offer you my full support to grow in politics, public service, entertainment, entrepreneurship and many other sectors, because I know that the future we envisage as a country cannot happen without our youths,” he further stated.
Their strength lies in unity – Analysts
A public affairs and political analyst Aminu Mohammed has said the hope for the Nigeria youth in 2023 lay in their unity.
In a phone chat with Blueprint Weekend, Mohammed said, “As we observed from the previous elections and all available data, Nigeria youth have the number to impact or to democratically influence any political processes to their advantage. Unfortunately, that has not been the case and it may not be the case in 2023.
“Many factors are affecting the chances and deeming the hope of the Youths. Among them are: unemployment, the system of voting, monetization of the party and electioneering processes and lack of unity among them.
“If they are serious about 2023 they need to move now. They need to get involved in party politics, request and push for the amendment of the Electoral Act, mobilise and integrate themselves for a particular agenda. You can see that those old politicians are moving. So the youths need to do more.
“They have the strength, population, and technology, but they need to reposition and reorient themselves. It is when they get involved in party politics that they will be able to make necessary changes within the party that will favour them.
“They should also take a critical look at the Electoral Act and demand for necessary amendments like electronic voting.
“Nigeria youths must wake up from their slumber and get involved in the politicking. The protest may not help the change government, but it will be easy for them to change things from within when they are involved.
“So it is not too late for them and there is hope for the Nigeria youths but their hope lies in unity of purpose. They should all come together to bring young and component leaders on board in 2023.”
