2019: Reduce Fees For Expression Of Interest For Youths, Uduaghan Urges Pol Parties

Former governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has said that the Not-Too-Young-To-Run Bill recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari can only succeed when political parties in the country reduce fees for expression of interest to encourage youths’ participation.

Uduaghan stated this while addressing youths at the 2018 Political Youth Conference organised by the Core Delta Youth as part of activities to mark the International Youth Day in Warri, Delta state.

The former governor, who is an aspirant for Delta South Senatorial seat told the delegates at the conference that 2019 should be a testing ground for the “Not-Too-Young-To-Run” campaign in the country.

He said that the law would succeed in the 2019 general elections when political parties reduce fees for youths seeking elective positions and when Nigerian youths also support their colleagues who are running for various political positions.

According to him, if youths are eager to “change the old narrative in a young and dynamic socio-political world”, they should support their colleagues who are vying for political positions rather pulling themselves down.

Uduaghan, who was at the venue of the event early enough before its commencement, also charged young people seeking to be leaders to first learn to manage time before seeking to lead.

The ex-governor, who tasked youths to borrow leaf from young Presidents like Emmanuel Macron, urging them to register in the ongoing Continuous Voters’ Registration (CVR) in a bid to support fellow young people seeking elective positions in 2019.

“When young people stand for election, they don’t enjoy the support of fellow youths. They are still the ones that try to bring their fellow youths down. Any youth standing for election must focus on mobilizing the youths instead of running down older candidates as a form of manifesto.

“Our political parties should lower their fees for expression of interest form for youths especially ahead of 2019 general elections, because without it the campaign for Not-Too-Young-To-Run which was recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari will be a mirage. 2019 will be a test ground for young people seeking to lead. Youths must support themselves for elective positions. Nigerian youths must borrow leaf from global young presidents such Emmanuel Macron of France.”, Uduaghan said.

Speaking earlier, Coordinator of Core Delta Youth, Mr. Uyero Erarawewho in his opening speech, charged the youths to shun violence, thuggery and say “no” to doing the nefarious bidding of any politician.

“We can only change the old narratives if we stand up as youths to engage ourselves positively in politics as we make up 65 per cent of the electorate, Erarawewho said, adding “We have to be relevant and that is what Core Delta Youth stand for, being committed to good governance and 30 per cent inclusion of youths in government”.