The struggles towards the political emancipation of the Nigerian Youths, through constitutional and institutional frameworks, are as important as our Right to Vote and be Voted during the general elections at all levels of government.
You will recall that when the Federal House of Representatives rose from their sitting on Tuesday, April 27th, 2010, they reviewed Section 65(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and amended that the AGE LIMITS for contesting an election to the House of Representatives and the Senate should be scaled up from 30 to 35 years and from 35 to 40 years respectively. On this development, the Nigerian Youth Parliament took up the matter as the greatest challenge to de-franchise the Nigerian Youths (of over 60% of the Nigerians’ total population) to be voted for and occupy seats at the apex legislative body of Nigeria government. The Speaker of the Parliament, Hon. Onofiok Luke called a Press Conference on this issue, to let the whole world know our stands on this matter. Since that time, we have been on a close mark with the daily developments on the Constitution Review processes.
Thereafter, the Joint Committee of the Upper and Lower Chambers sat to harmonise the adoptions, as differently passed. It was during their sittings that the issues surrounding the scaling up of the AGE LIMITS were dropped as earlier proposed by the House of Representatives members. The Senate voted for the support of the harmonised version of the review on Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010 while the House of Representatives followed suit on Thursday, June 3rd, 2010. A harmonised version which was made available to us, two days ago, revealed that the status qou of the Constitution is being maintained! This version is now ready to be sent to all the 36 States’ Houses of Assembly in Nigeria for their inputs. Meanwhile, the final copy of the amendment processes is expected to be deposited at the National Judicial Council of Nigeria on June 15th, 2010 as the new Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Greatest compatriots of Nigerian Youths, we want to humbly appreciate your concerns and efforts on this struggle. Together, we have jointly informed the distinguished National Assembly members and the political elites that the way forward for political development of our dear country is to mainstream the younger generation into the system in order to achieve the desired future.
We wish our respected and ever courageous colleagues who are going for elective positions during the forthcoming 2011 general elections successful and victorious outing. We love you all!!!
Long life the Nigerian Youths!
Long life the National Assembly!!
Long life the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
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