RIGHTS AND OBLIGATION AS TWO SIDES OF A COIN: A call for active youth participation in pre~election and election process
Posted by Israel
Young people between the ages of 15 and 35 constitute one-third of Africa’s population. However, youth’s influence on national politics remains limited. There is a general sense that traditional politics and representative democracy—whereby voters determine the outcome of power struggles at the ballot box—fail to attract the attention of younger cohorts who feel alienated from political processes. Recent events have shown that youth are critical in bringing about social and political transformation in Africa. From the dissolution of the apartheid regime in South Africa in the early 1990s and the Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia in 2011 to the ‘Y’en a Marre!’ (‘Enough is enough!’) and ‘Ma Carte d’Electeur, Mon Arme’ (‘My voting card, my weapon’) campaigns in Senegal in 2011–12 and the thirdterm revolution in Burkina Faso in 2014, young people remain at the forefront of democratic struggles on the continent. When young people engage, authoritarian regimes may fall and countries’ political trajectories may shift. Nevertheless, African youth have been less involved in the aftermath of such critical engagements. Perceptions of exclusion have resulted in young people seeking alternative ways to express their dissatisfaction. When frustration reaches high levels, especially in transitional and fragile states, youth may turn to civil disobedience and violence. Therefore, the inclusion of youth in political processes is crucial to longer-term stability and peace. Furthermore, youth engagement in formulating tomorrow’s politics is crucial because inclusive participation is a fundamental political and democratic right. However, actively promoting the inclusion of youth in political processes is not only about norms, values and rights, but also about practical politics. Younger cohorts find themselves in a different situation and their political and socioeconomic priorities differ from those of their older counterparts. Having grown up in a period of transformation related to the increased use of information and communications technologies, young people bring new visions and ideas to the political sphere. They are, therefore, key democratic stakeholders, a sentiment expressed in the African Youth Charter: ‘Africa’s greatest resource is its youthful population and through their active and full participation, Africans can surmount the difficulties that lie ahead’.
The Independent Electoral Commission of Nigeria (INEC) has partnered with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to support the recruitment of ad hoc voter registration and polling station workers. Young people under the age of 30 serve for one year under the different service components and participation in the scheme is required for jobs in the public service. With the introduction of biometric voter registration in 2010, NYSC members facilitated the transition to the use of new technologies. The INEC now trains and deploys young people enrolled in the NYSC programme for its election day operations. While challenges remains and further improvements to the INEC–NYSC relationship are warranted, it is believed that the partnership has had a positive impact. It has opened up new opportunities for youth in hands-on participation beyond merely showing up on election day to cast their ballot, and restored confidence in youth competencies and capacities. Moreover, it is believed to have contributed to decreased election-related litigation and reduced the INEC’s ad hoc staffing costs. Youth are one of the greatest assets that any nation can have. Not only are they legitimately regarded as the future leaders; they are, potentially and actually, the greatest investment for a country's development. They serve as a good measure of the extent to which a country can reproduce as well as sustain itself. The extent of their vitality, responsible conduct, and roles in society is positively correlated with the development of their country. Nigeria's population is predominantly young. Therefore, the present Administration, having given due consideration to the significance of the youth in socioeconomic and political development, has found it most desirable and necessary to initiate this National Youth Development policy so that there will be a purposeful, focused, well articulated and well directed effort aimed at tapping the energy and resourcefulness of the youth and harnessing them for the vitality, growth, and development of the country well into the 21 st Century. This resolve and commitment to the development of the youth has been reinforced by resolutions of various international organisations which draw attention to the need to concretely address the problems of the youth and empower them, (e.g. The Commonwealth Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment approved in May 1998). The National Youth Development Policy is an official declaration of the importance of the youth in National development. It is indicative of the readiness of the Federal Government to meet the needs and aspirations of the youth as well as seek solutions to their problems. It sets guidelines for all stakeholders to empower the youth to realize their potentialities and take advantage of the opportunities available to make positive contributions to the well-being of their communities and the society as a whole. The Policy takes into account the range of problems faced by the youth, anticipates the challenges that they are likely to confront and outlines appropriate objectives, policies, programmes and implementation plans which will be put in place so as to empower the youth to take charge of their own destiny as well as make them active participants in the shaping of the political and economic destiny of our nation. The Policy also recognizes that youths are not a homogeneous category and that differences exist among them. Therefore, the Policy contains provisions that will address the specific and special needs of each of several identified target groups. Furthermore, the Policy is informed by the provisions of Chapters II (Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy) and IV (Fundamental Rights) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, provisions which demand the involvement of all Nigerians as equal partners and stake holders in the task of building and developing our nation. Finally, the Administration recognizes that the youth are a particular segment of the national population, that is sensitive, energetic, active and in the most productive phase of their life as citizens. Hence, the Government is committed to this progressive, creative and all-inclusive National Youth Development Policy to generate maximum expression of youthful creativity and productivity, ingenuity and freedom in the context of an appropriate environment for self-expression, self-sustenance and self-actualization by the youth. Youth are one of the greatest assets that any nation can have. Not only are they legitimately regarded as the future leaders; they are, potentially and actually, the greatest investment for a country's development. They serve as a good measure of the extent to which a country can reproduce as well as sustain itself. The extent of their vitality, responsible conduct, and roles in society is positively correlated with the development of their country. Nigeria's population is predominantly young. Therefore, the present Administration, having given due consideration to the significance of the youth in socioeconomic and political development, has found it most desirable and necessary to initiate this National Youth Development policy so that there will be a purposeful, focused, well articulated and well directed effort aimed at tapping the energy and resourcefulness of the youth and harnessing them for the vitality, growth, and development of the country well into the 21 st Century. This resolve and commitment to the development of the youth has been reinforced by resolutions of various international organisations which draw attention to the need to concretely address the problems of the youth and empower them, (e.g. The Commonwealth Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment approved in May 1998). The National Youth Development Policy is an official declaration of the importance of the youth in National development. It is indicative of the readiness of the Federal Government to meet the needs and aspirations of the youth as well as seek solutions to their problems. It sets guidelines for all stakeholders to empower the youth to realize their potentialities and take advantage of the opportunities available to make positive contributions to the well-being of their communities and the society as a whole. The Policy takes into account the range of problems faced by the youth, anticipates the challenges that they are likely to confront and outlines appropriate objectives, policies, programmes and implementation plans which will be put in place so as to empower the youth to take charge of their own destiny as well as make them active participants in the shaping of the political and economic destiny of our nation. The Policy also recognizes that youths are not a homogeneous category and that differences exist among them. Therefore, the Policy contains provisions that will address the specific and special needs of each of several identified target groups. Furthermore, the Policy is informed by the provisions of Chapters II (Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy) and IV (Fundamental Rights) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, provisions which demand the involvement of all Nigerians as equal partners and stake holders in the task of building and developing our nation. Finally, the Administration recognizes that the youth are a particular segment of the national population, that is sensitive, energetic, active and in the most productive phase of their life as citizens. Hence, the Government is committed to this progressive, creative and all-inclusive National Youth Development Policy to generate maximum expression of youthful creativity and productivity, ingenuity and freedom in the context of an appropriate environment for self-expression, self-sustenance and self-actualization by the youth.
Young people between the ages of 15 and 35 constitute one-third of Africa’s population. However, youth’s influence on national politics remains limited. There is a general sense that traditional politics and representative democracy—whereby voters determine the outcome of power struggles at the ballot box—fail to attract the attention of younger cohorts who feel alienated from political processes. Recent events have shown that youth are critical in bringing about social and political transformation in Africa. From the dissolution of the apartheid regime in South Africa in the early 1990s and the Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia in 2011 to the ‘Y’en a Marre!’ (‘Enough is enough!’) and ‘Ma Carte d’Electeur, Mon Arme’ (‘My voting card, my weapon’) campaigns in Senegal in 2011–12 and the thirdterm revolution in Burkina Faso in 2014, young people remain at the forefront of democratic struggles on the continent. When young people engage, authoritarian regimes may fall and countries’ political trajectories may shift. Nevertheless, African youth have been less involved in the aftermath of such critical engagements. Perceptions of exclusion have resulted in young people seeking alternative ways to express their dissatisfaction. When frustration reaches high levels, especially in transitional and fragile states, youth may turn to civil disobedience and violence. Therefore, the inclusion of youth in political processes is crucial to longer-term stability and peace. Furthermore, youth engagement in formulating tomorrow’s politics is crucial because inclusive participation is a fundamental political and democratic right. However, actively promoting the inclusion of youth in political processes is not only about norms, values and rights, but also about practical politics. Younger cohorts find themselves in a different situation and their political and socioeconomic priorities differ from those of their older counterparts. Having grown up in a period of transformation related to the increased use of information and communications technologies, young people bring new visions and ideas to the political sphere. They are, therefore, key democratic stakeholders, a sentiment expressed in the African Youth Charter: ‘Africa’s greatest resource is its youthful population and through their active and full participation, Africans can surmount the difficulties that lie ahead’.
The Independent Electoral Commission of Nigeria (INEC) has partnered with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to support the recruitment of ad hoc voter registration and polling station workers. Young people under the age of 30 serve for one year under the different service components and participation in the scheme is required for jobs in the public service. With the introduction of biometric voter registration in 2010, NYSC members facilitated the transition to the use of new technologies. The INEC now trains and deploys young people enrolled in the NYSC programme for its election day operations. While challenges remains and further improvements to the INEC–NYSC relationship are warranted, it is believed that the partnership has had a positive impact. It has opened up new opportunities for youth in hands-on participation beyond merely showing up on election day to cast their ballot, and restored confidence in youth competencies and capacities. Moreover, it is believed to have contributed to decreased election-related litigation and reduced the INEC’s ad hoc staffing costs. Youth are one of the greatest assets that any nation can have. Not only are they legitimately regarded as the future leaders; they are, potentially and actually, the greatest investment for a country's development. They serve as a good measure of the extent to which a country can reproduce as well as sustain itself. The extent of their vitality, responsible conduct, and roles in society is positively correlated with the development of their country. Nigeria's population is predominantly young. Therefore, the present Administration, having given due consideration to the significance of the youth in socioeconomic and political development, has found it most desirable and necessary to initiate this National Youth Development policy so that there will be a purposeful, focused, well articulated and well directed effort aimed at tapping the energy and resourcefulness of the youth and harnessing them for the vitality, growth, and development of the country well into the 21 st Century. This resolve and commitment to the development of the youth has been reinforced by resolutions of various international organisations which draw attention to the need to concretely address the problems of the youth and empower them, (e.g. The Commonwealth Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment approved in May 1998). The National Youth Development Policy is an official declaration of the importance of the youth in National development. It is indicative of the readiness of the Federal Government to meet the needs and aspirations of the youth as well as seek solutions to their problems. It sets guidelines for all stakeholders to empower the youth to realize their potentialities and take advantage of the opportunities available to make positive contributions to the well-being of their communities and the society as a whole. The Policy takes into account the range of problems faced by the youth, anticipates the challenges that they are likely to confront and outlines appropriate objectives, policies, programmes and implementation plans which will be put in place so as to empower the youth to take charge of their own destiny as well as make them active participants in the shaping of the political and economic destiny of our nation. The Policy also recognizes that youths are not a homogeneous category and that differences exist among them. Therefore, the Policy contains provisions that will address the specific and special needs of each of several identified target groups. Furthermore, the Policy is informed by the provisions of Chapters II (Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy) and IV (Fundamental Rights) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, provisions which demand the involvement of all Nigerians as equal partners and stake holders in the task of building and developing our nation. Finally, the Administration recognizes that the youth are a particular segment of the national population, that is sensitive, energetic, active and in the most productive phase of their life as citizens. Hence, the Government is committed to this progressive, creative and all-inclusive National Youth Development Policy to generate maximum expression of youthful creativity and productivity, ingenuity and freedom in the context of an appropriate environment for self-expression, self-sustenance and self-actualization by the youth. Youth are one of the greatest assets that any nation can have. Not only are they legitimately regarded as the future leaders; they are, potentially and actually, the greatest investment for a country's development. They serve as a good measure of the extent to which a country can reproduce as well as sustain itself. The extent of their vitality, responsible conduct, and roles in society is positively correlated with the development of their country. Nigeria's population is predominantly young. Therefore, the present Administration, having given due consideration to the significance of the youth in socioeconomic and political development, has found it most desirable and necessary to initiate this National Youth Development policy so that there will be a purposeful, focused, well articulated and well directed effort aimed at tapping the energy and resourcefulness of the youth and harnessing them for the vitality, growth, and development of the country well into the 21 st Century. This resolve and commitment to the development of the youth has been reinforced by resolutions of various international organisations which draw attention to the need to concretely address the problems of the youth and empower them, (e.g. The Commonwealth Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment approved in May 1998). The National Youth Development Policy is an official declaration of the importance of the youth in National development. It is indicative of the readiness of the Federal Government to meet the needs and aspirations of the youth as well as seek solutions to their problems. It sets guidelines for all stakeholders to empower the youth to realize their potentialities and take advantage of the opportunities available to make positive contributions to the well-being of their communities and the society as a whole. The Policy takes into account the range of problems faced by the youth, anticipates the challenges that they are likely to confront and outlines appropriate objectives, policies, programmes and implementation plans which will be put in place so as to empower the youth to take charge of their own destiny as well as make them active participants in the shaping of the political and economic destiny of our nation. The Policy also recognizes that youths are not a homogeneous category and that differences exist among them. Therefore, the Policy contains provisions that will address the specific and special needs of each of several identified target groups. Furthermore, the Policy is informed by the provisions of Chapters II (Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy) and IV (Fundamental Rights) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, provisions which demand the involvement of all Nigerians as equal partners and stake holders in the task of building and developing our nation. Finally, the Administration recognizes that the youth are a particular segment of the national population, that is sensitive, energetic, active and in the most productive phase of their life as citizens. Hence, the Government is committed to this progressive, creative and all-inclusive National Youth Development Policy to generate maximum expression of youthful creativity and productivity, ingenuity and freedom in the context of an appropriate environment for self-expression, self-sustenance and self-actualization by the youth.
Nigeria’s 2015 general election was a watershed moment in the country’s political history. Nigeria’s robust youth environment and increasing youth population makes her one of the most youthful populations in the world. With over 60% of the country voting population dominated by young eligible voters, youths constitute the largest percentage of registered voters.
The National Youth Policy defines youth as all young persons of ages 18 – 35. Nigeria’s burgeoning youth population provides a huge social, economic and political capital required to drive socio-political and economic development.
Youth participation in government in Nigerian political space is subject to the legal requirements for various political offices. Section 65 (1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides that an aspirant to a senatorial office must have attained the age of 35 years, while section 65(1)(b) provides that those aspiring for the House of Representatives seats must have attained the age of 30 years. The age requirement for the state house of assembly seat under section 106(b) is 30 years. Likewise, aspirants for the office of president and vice president must have attained 40 years while sections 177(b) and 187(2) stipulate that one has to be 35 years of age to contest for governorship or deputy governorship position.
Youth are excluded from contesting for the offices of President, Vice-President, Governor, Deputy Governor and Senate, subject to the legal requirements for these offices. These requirements leave only a small margin for participation of those who have attained the maximum age of 35 years in the youth bracket. Therefore, only the House of Representatives and State Assembly positions allows for youth candidacy.
Key findings from YIAGA’s Youth Candidacy in the 2015 General Elections in Nigeria stress that as Nigeria pushes forward towards deepening democracy and broadening participatory and electoral democracy, it must deliberately create space for its teeming youth population to participate in the electoral process. A critical component of that process must be increased opportunities for the youth to vote and be voted for.
However, the dimensions of youth political participation in the general elections extend beyond participating as candidates, as YIAGA’s Youth Participation in Nigeria’s 2015 Election Report, highlights youth political participation in 2015 as electoral officers, the use of NYSC members and students of higher institutions as polling officials, as party agents, as election observers, as security agents and as media personnel.
As we mark one year since the 2015 general elections, this milestone presents an opportunity for us to reflect on the gains or losses of the youth demography based on their participation in the political processes in the period under review.
Political participation by young people has emerged in recent years as a crucial new focus of efforts to enhance democracy. Youth political participation in governance and decision making processes is a clear indicator of a country’s democratic development. Democracy thrives on the ability of citizens to enforce their rights by participating in decision making; young people must be given the opportunity to contribute to the development of their communities through political participation that grants them access to structures of governance where decisions are taken. That access and opportunity to participate must be provided as a matter of right and not a privilege.
Nigeria’s greatest asset lies in its youthful demography, yet, there have been little or no gains towards furthering the youth agenda and harnessing the energy, resilience and commitment of Nigeria’s youth after the 2015 general election.
Engaging young people in democratic governance process is critical to ensuring that the gains of youth political participation in the 2015 general election are not lost in the post-election phase. Young people must organize and hold elected leaders accountable to their campaign promises, as well as effectively engage elected leaders to be responsive and take action on behalf of citizens. Political participation must be meaningful if youth participation must be sustained within the electoral cycle of a political system. Political participation become more meaningful when youths are able to express their preferences, aggregate their interests, and influence public officials and public policy, using avenues and opportunities in the political system towards helping to maintain government accountability and demanding government transparency and responsiveness.
Comments
Post a Comment