CSO tasks political parties on inspiring youth for leadership

The Executive Director of a non-governmental organisation (CSO), Conscience for Human Rights & Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), Idris Miliki Abdul has urged political parties to develop viable policies that would inspire Nigeria youth for leadership.

He 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 towards improvement in the participation of young persons in government and leadership in Kogi and Nigeria at large.

He decried the rate at which the Nigeria youth have been marginalised 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 this huge numbers of young persons, and the presence of the ‘Not Too Young To Run Act’ of the National parliament, the number of young persons in political leadership position both elective and appointive, is still very low.

“This has led to the discouragement of youth commitment in promoting good governance in Nigeria that can lead to their effective participation,” he said.

Miliki further urged opposition parties to take responsibility in checkmating the ruling party and holding them accountable to the people.

“What is my role and responsibly to the 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 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 benefits 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.

The communique in Full

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE 1-DAY POST 2023 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION REVIEW MEETING FOR POLITICAL PARTIES IN KOGI STATE, ORGANIZED BY THE CONSCIENCE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION (CHRCR) AT HALIMS HOTEL, GANAJA JUNCTION, LOKOJA ON FRIDAY 24TH NOVEMBER 2023 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WOMEN TRUST FUND NIGERIA WITH SUPPORT FROM MACAUTHUR FOUNDATION

BACKGROUND:

The Review meeting was aimed at assessing the roles of young persons in political parties in the just concluded 11th November 2023 in Kogi State and to synergize towards increasing the effective participation of youth and young persons in governance and leadership at State level.

The meeting had in attendance representatives of registered political parties and selected Media practitioners.

There was paper presentations on Inspiring Youths for Leadership and Anti-Corruption and Accountability by Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) Idris Miliki Abdul and the Review of the off-cycle election and post-election activities as observed in the State since the elections were concluded, Challenges of Youth in Attaining Leadership position and the way forward by Executive Director, Initiative for Grassroot Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA), Hamza Aliyu

OBSERVATIONS:
Availability of functional Youth policies in all Political parties is a major set back in fostering effective leadership positions in Party politics

The post-election crisis witnessed after the 11th November 2023 Governorship election in Kogi State is regrettable, unacceptable and condemnable, taking into cognizance the level of engagement and mobilization by various Civil Society Organizations with political parties before and during the elections

The constitutional restriction on the age for contesting elections is discriminatory and disenfranchises a large percentage of young persons

The roles of political parties in demanding for the conduct of Local Government Council elections in Kogi state, is disappointing looking at the importance of political parties in governance as they are the only institution mandated by the constitution to contest election in Nigeria as provided in the Constitution and Electoral Laws in Nigeria

There is no budgetline item for the Kogi State Youth Development Commission in the 2024 proposed Budget for the State and this is unaccepted

The Legislature are critical stakeholders in ensuring accountability and transparency in governance through legislative process

Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) representing registered political parties, has not effectively played its role in accountability and transparency in governance

The results of votes of the 2020 Local Government Councils elections has not been declared and no opposition political party has demanded for it.

The tenure of the current Local Government Councils ended on December 14th 2023 and there is no machinery put in place by the State Government for democratic governance at that level currently, despite being a tier of Government.

There is no Budgetary provision in the 2024 proposed State Budget for the conduct of the Local Government Councils election, despite the out going Governor being a product of the democratic process through elections. This is worrisome as the Governor took an oat to uphold and defend the Constitutional of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

The 11th November 2023 Governorship elections was the most divisive in the history of elections in the state, dividing the citizens/electorates along ethnic and religious lines

RECOMMENDATIONS:

The meeting made the following recommendations:
That Political parties must do more to include young persons in their internal party activities through effective specific policies that encourage youth in party leadership positions

That the current attitude of opposition parties in Kogi State where parties seem weak to challenge the policies of government , is detrimental to forging a vibrant democracy and good governance

There must be a deliberate effort by the incoming administration in the State to convene a State Conference to re-establish bonds within the citizens taking into consideration the level of distrust and disunity within 6 months of its inauguration*

The State House of Assembly must ensure that the Youth Commission and the Ministry of Youths and Sports and other youth focused institutions have adequate funding to carryout activities aimed at improving the development of youths in the State

Constitutional amendments to remove the age restriction for contesting election must be in the front burner of the current National Assembly, by amending the various sections that provide for the right of young persons at 18 years but can not vote at that age. We proposed that the Constitution should read *“any citizen of Nigeria that has attained the age of 18 years, can vote and be voted for”.

We call on The Nigerian Police to as a matter of urgency, conclude its investigations into the post-election violence that has characterized the aftermath of the 11th November 2023 Governorship elections in Kogi State, and make the outcome of such investigation public as soon as possible.

Political parties must be held accountable for the violent actions of their supporters before, during and especially after the elections in Kogi State.

The Kogi State House of Assembly must immediately appropriate funds for the conduct of Local Government Councils elections in the State as it is the level of government that provides the most effective platform for young persons to participate in democratic governance particularly at grassroot

The Inter Party Advisory Council must re-invigorate its responses and actions towards holding the government accountable

The Review meeting commended the Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) for its untiring efforts at improving youth involvement in leadership in Kogi State. It also appreciated The Nigeria Women Trust Fund and MacArthur Foundation for their support and partnership.

Signed:
IDRIS MILIKI ABDUL
Executive Director
CONSCIENCE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION (CHRCR)
LOKOJA, KOGI STATE