BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that with the signing into law of the progressive ‘Not Too Young To Run Bill’, it is now possible for young people to lead politically and occupy elective positions.
It said that the passage and signing into law of the Bill is another promise kept by the President Muhammadu Buhari during his 2018 Democracy Day address and in Party’s 2015 election manifesto.
The APC while congratulating President Muhammadu Buhari for assenting to the Bill, also hail the efforts of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara under whose leadership the Bill was passed in the National Assembly and forwarded for presidential assent.
The APC in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, however described as unfortunate the position of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at this very moment of victory for Nigerian youths, to be a killjoy and engage in what it referred to as “its (PDP) usual pettiness and unnecessary divisive politics’ over the Bill’s sponsor in the National Assembly.
Abdullahi further said; “Our party is happy to share this victory with all Nigerians who desire to see a better future for our youths. However, we probably need to remind the PDP that it is still a minority in the National Assembly.”
The APC said it promised to provide the opportunities for youths to realize, harness, and develop their full potentials and to facilitate the emergence of a new generation of citizens committed to the sustenance of good governance and service to the people and the country.
The Party congratulated the Youth Initiative for Advocacy Growth and Advancement (YIAGA), Youngstars Development Initiative (YDI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) who partnered to launch the “Not Too Young To Run” (NTYTR) campaign.
“We believe the massive support the Bill received particularly from APC members in the National Assembly speaks volume of the progressive ideals the Party continues to identify with and champion, irrespective of partisan considerations and interests.
“This is indeed a major milestone in advocacy efforts to ensure increased participation and inclusion of marginalised groups, in this case the youth in Nigerian politics.
“The youth comprise roughly half of the Nigerian population, it is only right that they take their rightful place within Party leadership structures and elective positions at all levels.”
The APC expressed confidence that the new law will inspire a new thinking among many Nigerian youths pertaining their roles in elections and politics, stressing that the youths should not be used as disruptive elements, thugs and social media mobs.
