Youth movement laments cost of nomination forms

The leadership of the Not-tooYoung-to Run movement has raised concern over the parties announcement of nomination forms, saying it presents a major impediment to youth participation in politics.
It also lamented the tactics deployed by some state governors to thwart the political aspirations of young aspirants, saying some governors in some states must now approve aspirants before nomination forms are sold to them.
Addressing the press yesterday in Abuja, one of the leader, Sam Itodo, said the movement engaged all the registered political parties to reserve party tickets for young men and women with character, capacity and competence.
He added that political parties were tasked to prescribe enforce spending limits for party nomination fees and charges.
“The cost for nomination of candidates should not exceed N200,000 for House of Assembly aspirant; N400,000 House of Representatives aspirants, N600,000 Senatorial aspirant, one million for governorship aspirants and N2 million for presidential aspirant.
“And that the political parties should adopt open, transparent and direct party primaries in the candidate selection process for the 2019 elections, but that despite the commitment from the leadership of the various political parties at the National and state level, the movement notes with concern the announcement on the cost of nomination forms by various parties with presents a major impediment to youth participation in politics.
“Party executives cannot sell nomination forms to young aspirants until the approval of the governor is sought and secured.
This is undemocratic and dictatorial in every respect.
“We urge the national leadership of political parties to caution state leaders of the parties against subverting party guideline in the candidate selection process through imposition of candidates and intimidation of young aspirants.
Parties should ensure guidelines for party primaries are widely publicised to promote participation and accountability,” he said.