Laz Apir
I have
observed for a while now how FOLKS have continued to misconstrue #NotTooYoungToRun
campaign, even branding it a generational war. Given my unique and privileged
involvement in the campaign, I am compelled to put on record these needed
clarifications.
1.
#NotTooYoungToRun is in fact, a bill before the National
Assembly sponsored by Hon Tony Nwulu age 38 years old, representing Oshodi-Isolo
II Federal Constituency of Lagos State.
2.
The #NotTooYoungToRun bill seeks to lower the age
for contesting elections from 40 years for President to 30 years, 35 years for
Governor and Senate to 30 years. And 30 years for House of Representatives and
State Assembly to 25
years.
3.
The #NotTooYoungToRun bill has passed second
reading a the HoR and now at the committee level. It is headed to the senate
soon, for now lobbying is ongoing both at the senate and across the 36 State
Assemblies.
With the
above statement of facts, let me turn attention to what #NotTooYoungToRun is
not about;
1.
The bill DOES NOT and will not lead to the
exclusion of capable and competent older politicians desiring to run for
office. It will amount to fighting a bad practice only to turn around and
uphold same, that’s hypocrisy.
2.
The bill is NOT an AUTOMATIC ticket for office for
persons of such ages UNLESS such youths are capable, prepared and willing to
run for office; will they stand a chance.
3.
The #NotTooYoungToRun bill should not be
MISCONSTRUED to be a weapon against a certain generation of politicians. It is
helping to expand the space for more inclusion which is what a democracy
encourages.
What truly
distinguishes democracy from any other form of governance is its unapologetic knack
for inclusion. Without inclusion, a democracy will lose its vitality (apologies
to Samson Itodo).
To my
fellow youths out there, next time you desire to use the #NotTooYoungToRun
hashtag, do so with the proper understanding of what it is and what it is NOT.
To the
older political class, a hasty conclusion that the young have declared a
generational war on you without first seeking to understand what it truly was;
is in part, the reason you have continued to exclude vibrant younger persons in
governance.
If Aper Aku
who is the best Governor Benue state has ever had considered a vibrant and
sound Mvendaga Jibo worthy of office of the commissioner at the age of 28
years, what reason does Adasu, Akume, Suswam and Ortom have for not
consolidating Aku by appointing more commissioners who are in their late 20s to
early 30s since?
That such
youths are also constitutionally disqualified to even run for office is why #NotTooYoungToRun
is here. How can anyone in their right reason disqualify Barrister Kamo Sende
from running for office as Senator to represent Benue Zone A? to be ready and
prepared for office is one thing, to be disqualified on age, even when you are
ready is completely against what a true democracy represents.
I am sure
we can carry on with the #NotTooYoungToRun campaign now without suspicion and
perception of it as a generational war, because it is NOT!
Views as expressed are solely the authors’
@lazapir
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