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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.
Former governor of Sokoto State and current Senator, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has reaffirmed his party’s commitment to reclaiming power in 2027.
Speaking on Monday at the launch of a Ramadan aid distribution programme, Tambuwal assured supporters that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would regain its “stolen mandate” in the next general elections.
The initiative, aimed at assisting fasting Muslims during Ramadan, will benefit 30,000 households across Sokoto State.
Tambuwal noted that this effort was in addition to food assistance programmes being carried out by PDP lawmakers at both state and federal levels.
“As you are aware, many people have lost their lives and are no longer with us. By His grace, we are here to witness another Ramadan and provide support to our people once again,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to party leaders and supporters for their commitment, stressing that the PDP remained united in Sokoto.
“We are one big, united family. We shall continue to work together towards reclaiming what has been taken away from us.
In the last elections, our mandate was forcefully stolen, but we are restrategising and reorganising. By the grace of Allah, we will reclaim it in 2027,” Tambuwal declared.
Sokoto State PDP chairman, Comrade Bello Goronyo, echoed similar sentiments, thanking party members for their loyalty.
He criticised the current government, attributing the economic hardships faced by Nigerians to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“We urge the people of Sokoto and Nigerians at large to free themselves from the misgovernance of the APC in 2027,” Goronyo stated.
The PDP’s Ramadan assistance programme includes the distribution of thousands of bags of rice and other essential grains to youth and women-led organisations across the state.
Senator Shehu Sani has downplayed ex-governor Nasir El-Rufai’s defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the move won’t impact the ruling party’s fortune in the coming elections billed for 2027.
El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State on Monday left the APC, a party he was a founding member, and pitched his tent with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in a move pundits believe will change the political texture of the country.
But Sani, who is also from Kaduna like El-Rufai, believes the former Minister of the FCT holds no political relevance.
“Well, first of all, for those of us from Kaduna State, it [his defection] is a good riddance because he stands as a liability to the party in the state,” the former Kaduna Central senator said on Monday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today, citing the APC’s losses under El-Rufai.
“I can back this with facts. In 2015, APC had two senators. By 2023, all the senatorial zones were taken over by PDP. Out of the 14 House of Representatives seats in Kaduna State, by the time he left [office as governor], almost nine of the seats were won by PDP, two by the Labour Party, and then three by APC. With him as a governor, the APC also lost the presidential election in Kaduna State.”
El-Rufai had cited the party’s departure from progressive ideals as his reason for defection.
“At this point in my political journey, I have come to the conclusion that I must seek another political platform for the pursuit of the progressive values I cherish,” the former governor said.
The former FCT minister was a founding member of the ruling party. He was instrumental to APC’s victory in the 2015, 2019, and 2023 presidential elections. His relationship with the party, however, soured after he was not screened for a ministerial role.
But Sani, who recently returned to the APC, accused El-Rufai of destabilizing the party and believes his defection offers an opportunity for the APC to rebuild and come out stronger.
“So, you can see that by the time he left, already the party was an unpopular platform in the state. So his exit now is an opportunity,” the APC chieftain said.
“For the governor and party leaders of the state to embrace the people of the state and to reconfigure and reset the party towards the next election.”
Oby Ezekwesili, former minister of education, has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to step aside until an investigation into Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims against him is concluded.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, had accused the senate president of sexually harassing her.
The allegation followed a heated argument between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan over seating arrangement.
Subsequently, the senate referred Akpoti-Uduaghan to the committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions for disciplinary review.
The senator was thereafter suspended for six months.
In a statement on Monday, Ezekwesili demanded that Barau Jibrin, deputy senate president, should preside over a session tasked with conducting a swift and independent investigation into Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition.
The former minister said the senate should reverse the suspension of the senator and retract all punitive measures imposed on her.
“The senate president steps aside, and the deputy senate president immediately convenes a session that rescinds the unconstitutional and illegal suspension of senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and reverses all punitive measures imposed on her so she resumes her duties as a duly elected senator representing her Kogi central constituency and gets the fair hearing due her within senate processes,” Ezekwesili wrote on X.
“Resolve and announce that a prompt independent investigation into the resubmitted petition by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is imperative and swiftly request ICPC to designate the Independent Investigation consistent with the ICPC Act which designates sexual harassment as one of the corrupt practices it can investigate and prosecute.”
Ezekwesili urged the senate to restructure its ethics committee in response to the allegation, harping on the need to appoint an independent investigator to thoroughly examine the matter.
“Reconstitute the senate ethics and privileges committee under a new chairperson with the mandate to commence a public hearing on the resubmitted petition on sexual harassment by the senate president Akpabio,” she said.
“The committee receives informed recommendations from the Independent Investigation by ICPC-appointed investigator and appearances/oral and written testimonies and evidences from the two parties to the matter — Senators Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio respectively.”
She advised that the findings of the committee should be referred to the attorney-general of the federation for action.
“The senate in plenary receives the report findings and recommendations of the ethics committee, debates and refers the matter to the attorney general as may be appropriate,” she added.
“The senate and HoR partner with women in Nigeria groups and other relevant stakeholders like NBA and Nigeria police to launch a comprehensive diagnostic review of laws, regulations, policies and procedures that prevent SGBV and protect the rights of women in public and private spaces, identify existing barriers and gaps, develop and implement specific action plan on a fast track timeline.”