The Chairman, Young Parliamentarians Forum of the 10th National Assembly, Rep. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala has called for more youth inclusiveness in the leadership of political parties in the country.
Alao-Akala made the call on Wednesday at the opening of the National Youth Leaders of Political Party Action Plan Handover Conference in Abuja.
The validation conference which was on “Advancing Inclusive Policies and Practices in Political Parties in Nigeria” was organised by Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) under its Nigeria Open Political Party (NOPP) project.
Alao-Akala said that political parties are vehicles used in leadership recruitment process and its existence and operations are critical in any democratic setting.
According to him, the role of party politics in a democratic dispensation cannot be overemphasised.
“It is essential that young people are engaged in formal political processes and be involved in formulating policies that drive the political party machinery.
“Inclusive political participation is not only a fundamental political and democratic rights of every young person in Nigerian, but also crucial to building stable and peaceful society and developing policies that respond to the specific needs of younger generations.
“There is, therefore, an urgent need for our young people to be adequately represented in political party’s decision-making level.
“They must know their rights and be given the necessary mentorship and empowerment to participate actively in our political process,” he said.
In her remarkers, the Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Rep. Kafilat Ogbara (APC-Lagos state) charged the youths to show interest and be resolute in taking over the affairs of the country.
She said that the youths are now the leaders of today and no longer the leaders of tomorrow as being held by some opinions.
Ogbara stressed the need to appoint only young people as youth leaders of political parties saying that older people do understand the mind of the young people and cannot effectively mobilise the youth.
The lawmaker charged all political youth leaders in the various political parties to leave a mark and perform in mobilising youth without waiting for party funding.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Country Director of WFD, Mr Adebowale Olorunmola said that it was important to bring young people into party politics early enough.
The country director said that the youths will be able to learn early enough that politics is not about violence but what one can bring to the table in terms of ideas that can be beneficial to the society.
He said that if political parties stand their ground and produce qualified candidates only, Nigeria will be better for it.
Olorunmola said that when that is done, quality leaders with capacity will emerge to lead the country properly.
The country director said that at the end of the conference, a document that will be generic to all the political parties on youth inclusive as will be produced.
He said that the document will be validated by youth leaders and other the stakeholders to be implemented by all political parties in the country.
Some of the highlight of the document include, establishment of youth wing in all political parties and definition of youth in the Constitution of all political party as people between the ages of 18 to 35 years.
Others are, fee waiver for youth aspirants, 35 per cent affirmative action for youths in all political parties among others. (NAN)