An NGO's Communique On Youth Participation In Delta State's Politics

A Communique Issued at the End of a one-day Town Hall Meeting on Youth Participation in Politics in the Niger Delta held 6th September 2018, at Wellington Hotel Effurun, Warri Delta State. Preamble The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) with the support of the Ford Foundation convened a one day town hall meeting in Warri, Delta State on youth participation in politics in Delta State. The meeting which was a key milestone on the project “Capacity Building for Youth Interested in Political Office in the Niger Delta”, was organized to x-ray issues and challenges of youth participation in politics in Delta State, with the view to reaching a consensus on how best to determinately bring the youths in the state into mainstream politics ahead of the 2019 general elections and beyond. The Town Hall meeting had in attendance representatives of the National Council of Women Society (NCWS), representatives of traditional rulers, political parties, Executive chairmen of Local Governments, youth groups, CSOs and Centre LSD Trainee, and the media. Observations: Participants at the town hall meeting observed that; 1.Whereas it is a known fact that political leadership is particularly crucial for the development of nations as the progress, development and fortunes of nations are tied to the type and quality of their political leadership that they have had and continue to have, political leadership is a huge challenge in Nigeria and the challenge for the future is even greater as there is increasing marginalization of the youth in politics. 2.Whereas in other climes, youths are now being entrusted with leadership and governance of their countries, the reverse is the case in Nigeria as there is no clear cut definition of the age bracket that is classified as the youthful age. 3.There is the argument that the same youth who are being fought for to be included in the governance process are cited to be the architects of their own problems and have remained willing tools in the hands of politicians and often used against their fellow youth. The situation has increasingly become so as majority of the youths in Nigeria do not have the requisite skills and knowledge because of their intellectual laziness. 4.The forum frowned at the increasing monetization of politics in Nigeria and in Delta State, describing it as tool for alienation and a deliberate ploy to disenfranchise well-meaning individuals from contest. The monetization of politics in Nigeria has capacity to further limit youth participation in politics in Nigeria and in Delta State. The recent release of expression of interest and nomination fee by some political parties is not only offensive but capable of throwing spanners in the wheel of progress of the Nigerian youth aspiration to political offices in the country, Niger Delta and Delta State. 5. Older politicians in the country and in the Niger Delta region have perpetually been recycled and a lot of them have found politics as an arena where they retire to. 6.The zoning of political position in Delta State is a major problem affecting the chances of capable youths in Delta State. 7.Over the years, political leaders have remained unaccountable to the electorate and this explains the spate of infrastructural decay, project abandonment and none provision of requisite amenities to citizens. Recommendation/Resolutions The following recommendations were made at the town hall meeting; 1.The youths in Delta State constitute a considerable voting population and should be given the chance and encouragement to contribute their quota to the development of the state and Nigeria in general, just the way it is happening in other countries around the world. 2.In order to make the desired difference in the politics of Delta State, there is need to build the capacities of the youth and mentor and socialize them to participate actively in the political and governance process. 3.The youths must take their destiny in their hands and take concrete steps to equip themselves with the provisions of the Constitution and Electoral Act ahead of contesting election. The youth must understand that Power is not given but struggled for, and therefore must work collaboratively with their peers to strategize and gain relevance within their parties. 4.Political parties in Nigeria should consider as a matter of urgency the revision of the recently released fee for expression of interest and nomination to a level that is fair to all willing contestants in the country, region and State. The deliberate hiking of fee could slip the country into a deeper menace of corruption and thus reverse the successes the current administration has achieved in the current fight against corruption. 5.The political class should as matter of urgency take steps to mentor and hand-hold the youth who have shown determination, interest, skill and the right attitude to succeed in politics. 6. Politics should not be a profession but rather a vocation and every politician including the youths should while politicking also create alternative livelihood sources that makes them look away from public resources. 7.A level playing field for all aspirants must be guaranteed by the political parties through the practice of internal party democracy. Conclusion Stakeholders commended and appreciated the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) and Ford Foundation for their support in putting together the town hall meeting on youth participation in politics in the Niger Delta, the Delta State Chapter. The meeting called on the relevant stakeholders in Delta State to ensure that the youths are adequately supported in their aspiration for political and appointive positions by putting in place a level playing field that will facilitate their effective participation in the 2019 general election and beyond. Signed: Chief (Mrs) R. Akoyere – National Council of Women Society(ies) (NCWS) Mr. Voke Ighoroje – REEDS Centre Lawal Amodu – African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) Joy Tobele – Initiative for Peace and Stability (IPAS)