Group to set up support fund for youth aspirants ahead of 2019 general elections
- As the 2019 general elections approach, a civil society organisation says it will set up a support fund for political aspirants among the youths
- The organisation identified as Youth Empowerment Solution, says it will reach out to its partners for the support
- According to the group, the youths need the space to freely express themselves
Youth Empowerment Solutions (YES) Project Initiative, a civil society organisation, on Sunday, August 12, said it would set up a support fund for political aspirants among youths ahead of the 2019 general elections.
NAN reports that the executive director of the group, Precious Oche, made this known at a news conference in Abuja to commemorate the International Youth Day, with “Safe Spaces for Youth’’ as theme.
NAIJ.com gathers that Oche said that with the Not-Too-Young-To-Run Act, the stage had been set for youths to vie for elective positions and participate more actively in Nigeria’s democratic process.
According to him, the issue of godfather in Nigeria’s politics is a great challenge for youths to grabble with and if not addressed, will limit youths in 2019.
READ ALSO: Katsina PDP rejects bye-election results, vows to approach election tribunal
He said that YES was aware of the challenge, and that it was the reason it would reach out to its partners to get support for youths vying for elective positions.
Oche said: “We don’t want one godfather somewhere to sponsor someone and then start demanding that 50 per cent of whatever is in the office must go to him.
“As a youth-oriented organisation, we believe that there is no better time to create safe spaces for youth than now, especially in our political environment.
“Youth needs safe spaces where they can participate in decision-making processes and contribute meaningfully to the democratic process that engender good governance, equity, justice and respect for human rights.
“They need the space to freely express themselves, where they can maximise their potential and opportunities and where they can dream and pursue their dreams to the point of actualisation."
Oche said that youths were faced with many challenges, especially unemployment which if addressed, would lead to productivity rather than vices.
He said that youths were in the majority in Nigeria’s close-to-200 million people, adding that the 2019 elections was an opportunity for them to exercise their civic power.
He urged youths to collect their voter cards, vie for positions and also elect credible leaders into office.
The director said that the organisation was committed to supporting more youth candidates with character and leadership quality to vie for positions.
PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app
Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that members of the Not Too Young To Run movement led a procession to the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The movement demanded that political parties reserve tickets for young people with character, capacity and competence ahead of the 2019 general elections.
How Nigerian youths protest made the National Assembly pass the 'Not Too Young To Run' bill - on NAIJ.com TV
Source: Naija.ng