A political pressure group, the Youth Political Hotspots and the Youth Consultative Forum under the Leadership of Leadtots and Human Development Services has called on Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed to consider appointing competent youths and women to man key ministries, departments and agencies in Bauchi State.
In a statement signed by Seun Justin Onarinde, Senior Program Officer, Leadtots and Human Development Services and made available to newsmen in Bauchi, the group described women and youth inclusion in governance as “low compared to what it was in the 70s and 80s”.
“There is strong evidence that the participation of young people and women in formal, institutional political processes is relatively low when compared to older citizens and male counterparts in previous political administrations in the State. “This challenges the representativeness of the political system and leads to the disenfranchisement of young people and women”, the statement read in part.
The group decried that although youths in the country feature prominently during elections, they were mostly sidelined during appointments.
The group called on Bala Mohammed to translate resources from young people and women’s strength, ideas, and aspiration into tangible wealth in Bauchi state.
The group says no democratic political system can claim to be legitimate if youth and women are excluded and disengaged from democratic processes.
WikkiTimes reports that Nigeria has consistently over the years sidelined its youths in governance and decision making despite being the majority in the country.
The recent ministerial appointees by President Buhari have reinforced the long cries of youth exclusion in Nigeria’s democratic process, with none of the President’s appointees is below 35 years.
The Not too Young To Run movement in Nigeria has slammed the President for betraying youths despite promising to factor them in his next cabinet.
