According to a report from The PUNCH, former Oyo State governor and Senator Rashidi Ladoja has called on the youth to take proactive steps towards political participation by establishing political parties, presenting candidates, and supporting them to win elections.
Speaking at the South-West Zonal Legislative Interactive Session themed "Legislation and the Participation of Young People in Elections: The Emerging Trends," held at De Signatures Tower Hotels and Suites, Jericho, Ibadan, Ladoja emphasized the importance of youth involvement in shaping the political landscape.
Ladoja highlighted the significance of the Not-Too-Young-To-Run Act of 2018, which reduced the age qualification for political offices, enabling young people to contest elective positions.
He encouraged young individuals with the capacity to contest elective political offices to take advantage of these opportunities.
In his welcome address, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, Chairman of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters, underscored the importance of the interactive session in engaging young people and gathering their electoral reform ideas and priorities.
He emphasized that the opinions gathered would influence future elections and the electoral process in Nigeria.
Hon. Adebayo Balogun, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, House of Representatives, highlighted various factors influencing youth participation in the electoral process, including political awareness, education, access to information, and technology.
He acknowledged the enthusiasm, energy, and aspirations of young people and stressed the need to address their concerns and empower them to contribute to governance.
During the interactive session, sixty youth groups from Lagos, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo, and Ogun states presented position papers on various electoral matters.
Among the electoral reform ideas raised were the need to combat hate speech in Nigerian politics, ensuring non-partisan appointments for the Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, and providing maximum security for voters during and after the voting exercise.
Representing the INEC Chairman, Dr. Adeniran Tella, the Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, reaffirmed the commission's commitment to supporting Nigerian youths in governance.