Assent the Age Reduction Bill now, No need for “sluggish approach” -By Olalekan Fasoranti, FOCA

ANRP Headquarter

*ANRP condemns the Presidency’s “sluggish approach” to assenting the Age Reduction Bill.*

On February 15, 2018, the Age Reduction bill popularly referred to as the Not Too Young To Run bill received affirmative votes from twenty-five (25) state assemblies. 25 state houses of assembly have passed the Not Too Young To Run bill seeking to reduce the age for running for elective office in Nigeria. With this passage, the bill has met the constitutional threshold prescribed by Section 9 (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). The Section stipulates that any amendment to the constitution must be approval by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly.

On the 14th of March, 2018, the youths sought to notify the presidency of the development whilst urging the assent of the bill.

It is unarguably true that the current administration has little or no commitment to youthful energy and capacity.

The Nigeria demographic shows that the strength of the nation lies in the hands of the youths. Proper deployment of youthful strength is the only boost to the nation’s productivity. We cannot continue to rob our youths of real empowerment and claim they are our major resources. The youths are not tools but productive partners in National development.

ANRP has proved believe in the productivity of the youths by electing a 24 year old man as a state chairman, we have produced 2 female spokesperson and a female state chairman, this is the demonstration of pragmatism towards gender balance and youth development. Our leadership structure lies on the shoulders of several young Nigerians between the age bracket of 18 – 35 years on the average.
At ANRP, we say no to discrimination of adulthood, we say quality and intellectual property should be the criteria for leadership. A man who has the discretion to vote wisely, who can manage an establishment to success should not be shortchanged from contributing to national development on the premise of age barrier.

Mr. President should get to work and sign the bill, there’s no need for sluggish approach. His assent to the bill is long overdue, he should sign it now and not later.

Either he (Buhari) likes it or not, we shall displace him come 2019.

Olalekan Fasoranti, FOCA
ANRP Ondo State Secretary