NOT TOO YOUNG TO RUN ACT: ENUGU YOUTHS WANT REDUCTION IN THE COST OF ELECTIONEERING

A Cross section of youths in Enugu State has expressed mixed feelings concerning the “Not too Young to Run Act,” signed into Law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking with our Correspondent Obinna Ogbuka, the youths commended the role played by the National Assembly and Mr. President on the issue, describing it as a new dawn for the Nation’s Democracy.

The Not Too Young to Run Act was passed by both Chambers of the National Assembly since 2017.

According to the new Law, the minimum age qualifications to contest for Presidential, Governorship, and senatorial positions is 35, while House of Representatives and House of Assembly is twenty five.

But when the bill was initially presented, it wanted the age qualification for the positions of President be reduced from 40 to 35 years, Governor from 35 to 30 years, Senator from 35 to 30 years, while membership of House of Representatives reduced from 30 to 25 years and membership of House of Assembly from 30 to 25 years.

From the accented bill, which is now an Act, the age qualifications for the positions of a Governor and a Senator remains 35 years.

Speaking on the benefits of the new Law and what it holds for the Nation’s Democracy, the Coordinator, Not Too Young to Run Campaign in Enugu State, Mr. Colins Obinna Nebo maintained that it would introduce innovations and creativity into governance of the country.

How can youths utilize the opportunity provided by the law, considering the high cost of politicking in Nigeria, where the highest bidder carry the day,  a grass root Politician, Chief Afam Okereke and a youth Activist, Mr. Obinna Ofonna maintained that despite the new law, the youths still had hard nuts to crack.

What then could be done to harness the full potential of the law as obtainable in advanced democracies, a youths advocate, Mr. Chinedu Aroh and  the Coordinator, Enugu West Youths General Assembly, Mr. Ejike Ilo want Political parties to encourage  the youths to run for elections by reducing the cost of electioneering.

The respondents however, believed that changing the psyche of Nigerians from that of direct gratification before a candidate could be supported was a sure way youths could assume their proper place in the business of governance in Nigeria.

OBINNA OGBUKA