A non-governmental organization, Conscience for Human Rights & Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), has urged political parties to develop viable policies that would inspire Nigerian youth for leadership.
Our Kogi State Correspondent reports that the Executive Director of CHRCR, Comrade Idris Abdul Miliki, made the call on Thursday in Lokoja at a one-day “Post Governorship Elections Review Meeting for Political Parties in Kogi.”.
Miliki stressed the need for improvement in the participation of young people in government and leadership in Kogi and Nigeria at large.
He decried the rate at which Nigerian youth have been marginalized in political space while encouraging political parties to develop policies for youth development that target thematic areas.
He emphasized that Nigeria needed its youth to remain fully engaged in the political process, saying peace, security, citizens’ well-being, and partnership were key to attaining the SDGs by 2030 and ensuring no one was left behind.
“Despite these huge numbers of young people and the presence of the ‘Not Too Young to Run Act’ of the National Parliament, the number of young people in political leadership positions, both elective and appointive, is still very low.
“This has led to the discouragement of youth commitment in promoting good governance in Nigeria, which can lead to their effective participation,” he said.
Miliki further urged opposition parties to take responsibility in checking the ruling party and holding them accountable to the people.
“What is my role and responsibility to society, my community, local government, state, and country?
“The political parties have a role to play in post-elections by holding the ruling party accountable to the people.
“They must observe the ruling party and governance after the election, make pronouncements, and monitor the performance of the government,” Miliki said.
The activist condemned the act of vote-buying and selling during the Kogi governorship elections instead of using the fund to execute projects for the collective benefit of the people.
Miliki also decried the inability of the Kogi Government to conduct Local Government elections, stressing that the tenure of the present chairmen expired Dec. 14, 2023.
Representative of political Parties present include: the All Progressive Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Party (ADC), Labour Party (LP), Young Progressive Party (YPP), Boot Party (BP) APGA, PRP, among others.
In their separate comments, the representative of political parties, promised to develop policies in their various parties that would ensure youth participation in leadership at all levels.