Tactics by govs to thwart young aspirants worrisome – Youth Movement

The Ready to Run Movement has condemned the worrisome tactics deployed by some state governors and party executives to thwart the political aspirations of young aspirants.
On behalf of the Ready to Run Movement, Ibrahim Faruk , in a press statement issued in Abuja also noted with concern the underhand practices that contribute to the high cost of securing party nomination forms and internal party democracy within political parties that undermines the emergence of youth (women and men) candidates in the 2019 general elections.
“According to reports reaching the Ready to Run Movement, aspirants for House of Assembly and House of Representatives elections in some political parties are made to pay up to two hundred thousand naira (N200,000.00) each (apart from the cost of expression of interest and nomination forms) for screening in some states.
“The Ready to Run Movement also condemns the worrisome tactics deployed by some state governors and party executives to thwart the political aspirations of young aspirants.
“In some states, nomination forms are sold to aspirants after approval has been given by the governor of the state.
“In other words, party executives cannot sell nomination forms to young aspirants until the approval of the Governor and party leaders is sought and secured.
This practice is undemocratic and autocratic.
“Internal party democracy is central to the quest for sustainable electoral democracy.
The practice where political parties hold internal party primary contests but also proceed to select their nominees for office without regard for those primaries undermines the culture of democratic competition.
“The Movement recognizes that political parties are essential to democracy as they provide a structure for the participation of young men and women as well as persons with disability in the electoral process.
“The lack of internal party democracy and high cost of securing party nomination undermines democratic participation of youth candidates in the 2019 general elections,” he said.

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