Not-Too-Young-To Run: Challenges and prospects

Without mincing words, the unity that has existed in the Osun state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is under threat with a fierce internal battle, occasioned by the clamour for the West Senatorial District of the state to produce the party’s candidate and the choice of candidate by the leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. In this piece, LATEEF DADA examines issues.

Penultimate Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the ‘Not Too Young to Run Bill’ into law.
In this article Abdulrahman Zakariyau writes on the likely challenges and prospects for youths of the new law.
In the past, age arguably restricted some Nigeria youths from utilising their right to seek for elective positions.
However, all that will change as the new law has removed some encumbrances that hitherto blocked the path of youth’ political aspiration.
Specifically, the new law reduces the eligible ages for those seeking to be members of the state Houses of Assembly and House of Representatives from 30 to 25 years; and those aspiring to be President from 40 to 35 years.
Interestingly, the age limits for senators and state governors were not reduced as originally proposed by the sponsors of the bill.
The assented bill has come with numerous challenges and prospects.
PMB’s Perspectives In his address, President Muhammadu Buhari in what many analysts have described as carefully written speech, because the Presidency is still trying to manage the alleged ‘lazy Nigeria youth comment’, he subtly advised the youths “to take advantage of provisions of the bill.
Buhari challenged them not to wait for paid employment but to be innovative enough to engage themselves, saying he was confident that the youngsters would transform the country through their respective skills.
“You, the young people of Nigeria, are now set to leave your mark on the political space, just as you have done over the decades in entrepreneurship, sports, art, media, entertainment, technology, and several other fields.
You are undoubtedly Nigeria’s most important resource – not oil, not agriculture, not solid minerals – but you and all of us.
Your energy, intelligence and talent are what will drive and develop Nigeria, long after we are all gone.
Thus, it may be tempting for you to think of this as the end of the journey.
“However, it is only the beginning; there is still a lot of work ahead, towards ensuring that young people take full advantage of the opportunities provided not only by this constitutional amendment but also through Nigeria’s boundless prospects.
You should inculcate the spirit of self-help.
Those who complete their training should not just sit down and wait for government or private sector to employ them.
You should be innovative and turn your hands to any legitimate work that will enable you to sustain yourself.” We are broke, but we have plans…..
The National President, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Amb.
Murtala Muhammed Garba concurred that there are still challenges ahead.
He said “It is very expensive to seek for elective position in Nigeria and most of our youth are not financially buoyant.
So our next struggle is to get the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) look into electoral funding, this is important to enable youths with little resources to contest in an election.
“We are also going to negotiate and persuade some political parties to create special window for our youths.
While the ‘Not Too Young to Run’ movement was ongoing we were busy training trainers who will train other Nigerian youths on leadership and self employment.
“For the youths to take over power democratically is not an easy task, it requires strategic plans and time.
That is why we have been investing and pattering with individuals and groups to train our youths.
So one step at a time, the youth will perform better when they are equipped with the required leadership knowledge.
The youth President added that, “aside all these, we have always encourage our youth to get involved in politics.
All of us cannot contest for an elective position, but all the youths can get involved in the electioneering process.
Therefore, let me use this opportunity to once again encourage our youths to register with any political party of their choice, those that are interested in seeking elective positions should do so without any fear, others should get their Permanent Voters Card (PVC), vote for credible and competent candidates especially youths.
So we have been a lot of sensitization on all these.
It is a mere humorous law – Ikenga In his reactions to the assented act, former President of Igbo think-tank, Aka Ikenga, Goddy Uwazurike, argued that the “Not Too Young To-Run Act assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari is a mere humorous law.
The constitution of Nigeria clearly states the age qualifications for the offices of the President, Governors, Senators, and members of the Houses of Representatives, State Assembly, among others.
Uwazurike, citing Section 106 (b) of the 1999 Constitution, which states the age of 30 and Section 131(b), which stipulates that a presidential candidate shall be at least 40 years, said: “A mere Act cannot amend the constitution.
The only remedy is the amendment of the constitution.
“As a matter of fact, any law that is inconsistent with the constitution is null and void to the extent of the inconsistency.
The constitution is the Supreme law and all laws, whether existing or new, must align with it.
I am puzzled as to the hysteria when it is only all motion and no movement.” Hon.
Nwulu disagrees Contrary to people’s argument on the constitutional implication of the assented act, the sponsor of the bill at the Federal House of Representatives, representing Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency in Lagos state Hon.
Tony Iwulu said the law take effects immediately.
According to him “This is a constitutional amendment bill that has become a law and an Act of the National Assembly.
Is not an act that has being existence before that we are trying to alter, it’s a brand new Act and a law.
What it needs for now, is what the National Assembly has assured us is to get it gazetted.
So is already a law once is gazetted by the National Assembly, it will take effect immediately.
As a matter of fact, it has already taken effect.
PDP Youth Leader On his part, the National Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon.
Udeh Okoye said money is indeed a challenge for youth aspirants, but his party would help the youths.
He said “certainly in politics money remains an important factor, for you to contest, Money must be there.
Because for you to contest, even if you are not contesting under any political party you need to print T shirts, cards, posters, handbill, billboards and so on and so forth.
So there are no ways you be in politics and money will not be there”.
The Youth Leader also noted that, “the only thing we are assuring Nigerians is that the National Working Committee NWC of PDP is currently looking into money issues to see how some concessions can be given to the youths that want to seek for elective position under the party’s platform.
By the grace of God, that request has been made and am sure the NWC give special considerations to the youths when it comes to money matters.

Leave a Reply