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Young Parliamentarians Commit to Ensuring Good Governance For Nigeria’s Future
Young parliamentarians gather at Convergence 5.0 organised by Yiaga Africa to discuss the importance of good governance, legislative growth, and youth political representation in Nigeria.
The Young Parliamentarians, both at the National and State Houses of Assembly, made a resolute promise to champion laws that will lead to the effective governance of Nigeria.
This commitment was voiced at the Convergence 5.0 event, a program organized by Yiaga Africa with the support of the European Union (EU).
The convergence served as a platform for young legislators to enhance their knowledge and skills, fostering their contributions to the growth and development of the nation.
Commitment To Good Governance
Mr. Kabir Tukura, a Member of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Young Parliamentarians Forum, expressed his determination to make significant contributions to Nigeria’s progress. He commended Yiaga Africa for their initiative in equipping young legislators with the necessary skills for effective governance. Tukura emphasized the forum’s dedication to deepening democracy and making a lasting impact through legislative endeavors.
Empowering Young Parliamentarians
Tukura encouraged fellow young parliamentarians to remain focused and eager to learn. He credited Yiaga Africa for equipping him with legislative knowledge and skills, including the art of presenting motions in the House. Convergence 5.0 proved to be a valuable source of expertise, enriching the understanding and capabilities of young legislators.
The Significance Of Convergence 5.0
Cynthia Mbamalu, Director of Programmes at Yiaga Africa, highlighted the importance of Convergence 5.0 as the largest gathering of young legislators in Nigeria. The event aimed to facilitate learning from seasoned experts in the field, enabling young representatives to effectively lead their constituencies. Additionally, it served as a platform for young politicians to navigate the intricate world of power politics within the National and State Assemblies, emphasizing the theme of leadership and political dynamics.
Progress And Challenges In Youth Political Representation
Although the enactment of the Not-Too-Young-To-Run law in 2019 raised hopes for increased youth political participation, progress has been relatively slow. The House of Representatives experienced a significant increase in the number of young representatives, with 13 elected in 2019, compared to previous years. Similarly, the State Assemblies welcomed 20 young representatives under the age of 30 in the same year, along with two women under 35.
However, the 2023 elections did not yield the expected improvement. Nevertheless, notable achievements were still present. For the first time since the country’s transition to democracy in 1999, the House of Representatives boasts two lawmakers aged between 25 and 29, marking a positive step forward. Nonetheless, with only 14 representatives under 35 years old in the House, and 92 at the state level, there remains room for further enhancement. Furthermore, female representation among young lawmakers remains inadequate, with only four women under 35 years old holding seats.
Promoting Women’s And Youth Political Representation
Cynthia Mbamalu urged young parliamentarians to champion legislative efforts aimed at increasing political representation for both women and the youth in Nigeria. By supporting such initiatives, the progress made so far can be consolidated, ultimately curbing the trend of migration and brain drain. Efforts to create a more inclusive political landscape will foster development and strengthen democracy.
Youth Inclusion For Development
Samuela Isopi, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, emphasized the importance of including young people in the electoral process and as political representatives.
Aides, Allies Disown Him, Say You’re a Traitor, We’re not Leaving PDP
Barely two weeks after his defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), crisis has enveloped the political camp of a member of the House of Representatives for Obokun/Oriade federal constituency in Osun State, Oluwole Oke.
Indeed, these are not the best of times for him as his defection to the APC is eliciting rejection from his close circles and constituency.
His key allies who he groomed into politics and government positions have rejected his calls on them to join him to defect to the APC.
A source said that in the last few days, key aides and allies of the lawmaker have rejected his movement to the APC, describing it as a political tragedy.
“With the way he betrayed PDP, Oluwole Oke is like the proverbial Leopard that can never change the spots on its body. He will also betray the APC. We are staying back in PDP while severing political links with him”, one of his allies, Bamidele Johnson said.
Some of his allies were said to have openly declared that the defection marks a political waterloo for the 6th term legislator.
For instance, some of Oke’s allies in his Local Government scorned his move as “a decision borne out of greed and selfishness.”
One of them described him as “an ingrate who betrayed a party on whose platform he got married in life as a lawmaker and on whose platform he gained all his material riches.”
The Northern Youths Consultative Forum for Justice (NYCJ) has urged Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara State, citing a complete breakdown of governance, law, and order.
In a statement issued on Monday in Kano, NYCJ President Dr Sanusi Rano described the situation in Zamfara as “organised abandonment of duty” by elected officials.
“What we are witnessing in Zamfara is not governance. It is betrayal of the people,” Rano said, pointing to the absence of a functional state House of Assembly and allegations linking officials to criminal activities.
The group highlighted the suspension of 10 lawmakers who spoke out against the deteriorating security situation, arguing that their removal has left Zamfara without a legally recognised legislative body.
“This is a dictatorship of silence,” said Rano, adding that the lack of checks and balances has deepened the state’s crisis.
“The same hands that should protect Zamfara are profiting from its destruction,” Rano stated.
Calling for decisive action, the group demanded the appointment of a non-partisan administrator to rebuild the state’s institutions.
“If this is not done now, Zamfara risks becoming a permanent state of anarchy, which threatens our democracy,” Rano warned.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, on Monday, sentenced the husband of late gospel singer, Osinachi, Peter Nwachukwu, to death by hanging.
Nwachukwu was found guilty of culpable homicide resulting in the death of the deceased ( his wife) on April 8, 2022.
The judge held that the prosecution had proven the burden of proof placed on it by the law and subsequently found the defendant guilty.
Nwachukwu was arraigned on June 3, 2022 by the Office of Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF), on behalf of the Federal Government, on a 23-count charge .
The charge was on culpable homicide punishable with death, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, criminal intimidation of children, spousal battery, among others.
In the course of trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses, including two children of the late Osinachi, who testified as fourth prosecution and fifth prosecution witnesses, PW4 and PW5 respectively.
The prosecution also tendered 25 documents as exhibits before the court.
The defendant testified for the defence and further called four other witnesses and tendered four exhibits in his defence.
Shortly before sentencing, the defendant, counsel , Reginald Nwali, in his allocutus pleaded with the court to be lenient in its judgment.
Similarly, the prosecution counsel, Mrs Aderonke Imala, urged the court to give force to the law as stipulated.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme subsequently sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on Count 1, while he was sentenced to two years imprisonment each on Counts 2, 3, 8,9, 12, 13, and 18.
The court sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment on Count 10, three years imprisonment in Count 11, while he was fined the sum of N500,000 and N200,000 respectively on Counts 6 and 7 respectively. (NAN)