Give youth more slots in governance, Commonwealth group tells Buhari

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The Commonwealth Youth council has implored Nigeria’s president-elect, Muhammudu Buhari, to ensure that youth occupy 30 per cent of political positions at all levels when he assumes office as it described Mr. Buh
​a​ri’s victory as victory for the Nigerian youth.

The council, said not only has the 2015 election restored hope and confidence in democracy in Nigeria, it has also restored hope across Africa as many African countries will draw more democratic confidence from Nigeria’s election.

Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES from London, the chairman of the council, Ahmed Adamu, a Nigerian, held that the Nigerian youth voted for the candidate of their choice.

“The political outcome was determined by the youth’ votes; therefore, their voices must matter in governance” he said. “Young people must form at least 30 per cent of the political positions at all levels. This is the new campaign for the Nigerian youth. The youth must demand for a youth minister and active involvement in decision-making processes at all levels.

“Nigerian Youth have made sacrifices and stood on queues, under the scorching sun and under the rain for hours, and many for the first time in their lives, because they believed their voices must be heard.
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He said the result of the election has shown that the youth understand their democratic rights.

“These are manifestation that Nigerian youth have understood their democratic rights and are ready to actively participate in shaping the future they will live in,” Mr. Adamu said. “This is a victory to the youth. There is no better time than now for Nigerian youth to work collectively in pursuing a youth development agenda. The Nigerian youth must take their rightful position, be in the centre stage in a democratic society.”

CYC advised Mr. Buhari that his new job would be an easy one and if he must rebuild the nation, he must build the youth.

“To make the job easier, Nigerian youth must embrace the spirit of patriotism and sense of responsibility and work together as a people to build the nation,” Mr. Adamu said. “However, to build the nation, the youth must be built.”

Mr. Adamu said political fight is over and Nigerians must come together irrespective of political affiliations, ethnic and faith persuasion to fight for the country.

The youth council chair also praised President Goodluck Jonathan for keeping to his promise of ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections, despite the opportunity he had to do otherwise.

“He chose to allow the will of the people decide, ” he noted. “For the first time in years, Nigerians and the international community are in agreement with the election outcome.

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“Mr President’s respect for democratic values is something that will go down in history. For the first time in the history of Nigeria, there will be a political transition from one political party to another at the centre. This is a sign of maturity of democracy in the country”.