OKENE, Kogi – The Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution, CHRCR, a prominent civil society organization in Kogi, has advocated for the amendment of the 1999 Constitution to eliminate age discrimination and enhance youth participation in political processes.
This call was made in a communique issued on Friday, January 12, 2024, following a one-day Town Hall Meeting focused on “Inspiring Youth For Leadership in Kogi Central Senatorial District.”
Held at Afims Hotel in Okene, the meeting convened by CHRCR, with support from Women Trust Fund Nigeria and the MacArthur Foundation, saw participation from a diverse group, including CSO representatives, youth leaders, media practitioners, persons with disabilities, community and traditional leaders.
Idris Miliki Abdul, Executive Director of CHRCR, highlighted in the communique the regrettable fact that youth involvement in politics and leadership roles remains considerably low.
The proposed constitutional amendment aims to address this by removing barriers that limit young people’s aspirations for leadership positions nationwide, thereby boosting their inclusiveness and active engagement in governance.
The organisation criticized the limited roles available for youths within political party structures, often restricted to the position of youth leader.
This limitation, CHRCR argues, significantly hinders the broader representation and influence of young people in political decision-making processes.
The communique also commended Governor Yahaya Bello for the establishment of the State Youth Development Commission, a crucial step in promoting youth relevance in Kogi State.
However, it pointed out the lack of budgetary allocation for the commission since its inception, which has stymied its operations and development objectives.
CHRCR further urged the Kogi State Government to energise the Youth Development Commission with adequate budgetary provisions.
This move is deemed essential for enhancing youth inclusiveness in governance and addressing other youth-centric issues.
The group emphasized the need for political parties to provide leadership opportunities for young people at all levels.
It also encouraged youths to demand accountability from elected and appointed leaders to improve their living standards and leadership skills, thereby fostering good governance.
Additionally, the communique called for a collective effort to combat corruption and promote accountability. It highlighted the urgent need to tackle the pervasive issue of vote buying and selling in elections.
The CSO also urged the Kogi State House of Assembly to reverse the amendment of the Local Government Administration Law, which permits the state governor to appoint caretaker leadership for Local Government Councils.
This amendment, according to the communique, contradicts the 1999 Constitution and is, therefore, null and void.
Finally, the CHRCR called on the Kogi State Government to conduct elections for Local Government Councils within six months, suggesting a Supplementary Budget for 2024 to facilitate this process, as the current budget does not allocate funds for such elections.
The meeting underscored the critical role of youth in shaping the future of governance in Nigeria and the necessity of constitutional reforms to realize this potential.