Youths under the aegis of the We-YOU project in Kaduna, on Monday, demanded 30 per cent appointive positions in the new government that would be formed after the 2023 general elections.

Daniel Bagai, a mentee of the Hope Action and Progress for Women and Youths in Politics, under the We-You project, made the demand in Kaduna at a news conference.

The event was organised to commemorate the 2022 International Youth Day.

The We-YOU project is implemented by Legal Awareness for Nigerian Women (LANW) in collaboration with the Centre for Communication and Social Impact. The project, with support from ActionAid and the United Kingdom’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, seeks to contribute to Nigeria’s inclusive and responsive democratic process.

“Candidates who win elections in the 2023 general elections should consider at least 30 per cent of youths for appointive positions in their cabinet. Also, political parties should review their policies to be youth friendly in terms of leadership positions, increase youth participation in party politics and prepare them for elective offices,” said Mr Bagai.

He added, “The Kaduna state government should put into place a system that nurtures the youth and ensures their robust development to grow into leadership roles in the society. The state government should also consider investing in the entertainment industry of the state by supporting talented youths hoping for a breakthrough in the industry.”

The youth leader also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adhere strictly to the Electoral Act’s provisions in the 2023 elections to make every vote count.

Another mentee, Jamila Muhammad, pointed out the low representation of youth in party structure and elective positions.

Ms Mohammed blamed the development on a lack of deliberate action to ensure that a reasonable number of youths and women were mainstreamed into the political party structure and empowered to contest elective positions.

She also identified ignorance, poor access to information, poor education and godfatherism as impeding active women and youth participation in politics in Kaduna.

The We-YOU Project coordinator in Kaduna, Hanatu Ahuwan, said the project’s objective was to mobilise young people and women for campaigns toward translating citizens’ demands into policy actions.

(NAN)