A PRESS RELEASE STATEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL PLANNING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN (NASEPCO)
Youth/women’s Participation in Politics: The Importance of Aspiring for Political Positions to Achieve the Federal Government’s and ADC party 35% Youth/women Inclusion Target
07/03/2026
One of the most regrettable, unfortunate, saddened, sorrowfully, painful, pathetic and grossly expensive statement that we cannot pass unto our children is the slogan or rather the believe that say, “Youths are the leaders of tomorrow”. Tomorrow that never comes.
The active participation of young people in politics today is utmostly essential for the growth, stability, and sustainability of democracy in Nigeria. As the nation continues to strive for inclusive governance, the role of youths/women’s in leadership and decision-making processes cannot be overemphasized.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has continued to emphasize the need for greater youth/women inclusion in governance, with policies and advocacies aimed at ensuring that young/woman occupy at least 35% of political cum leadership positions across the country. This initiative is designed to harness the energy, creativity, innovation, and fresh perspectives that young/women in Nigerians bring to nation-building.
Nigeria has a very youthful/women’s population, and this demographic strength should be reflected in the country’s political leadership. Unfortunately, youth/women participation in politics has often been limited to voting during elections rather than contesting for elective and appointive positions.
Also, the youths/women have always been used as objects of electoral malpractices and they end up killing themselves. Come to think of it, “who snatches electoral materials during election? Youths. Who are the police officers that will catch them? Youths. Who causes electoral malpractices as thugs and killers, Youths. Who are sent to either kill them or get killed as soldiers, Youths. Pathetic! Hilarious and utmostly unfortunate. Why should we remain like this? Why should we keep being used and maligned in the hands of these political bourgeoisies? Enough is enough. The earlier we take the bull by the horn, the better for our future and that of our children and children’s children.
To truly achieve meaningful representation, young/women’s must begin to aspire to political offices, participate in political parties, engage in policy discussions, and actively seek leadership roles.
Encouraging youths/women’s to contest for political positions is not only about representation but also about shaping policies that directly affect their future.
Young and women’s leaders are often more connected to contemporary issues such as education, employment, technology, entrepreneurship, and social development.
In addition, youth and women’s participation strengthens democratic institutions by promoting transparency, accountability, and innovative governance approaches. When young people are empowered to lead, they contribute significantly to national development and social transformation.
Stakeholders, including government institutions, political parties, civil society organizations, and community leaders, must therefore create enabling environments that support youth and women’s political participation. This includes providing mentorship, leadership training, fair opportunities within political parties, and reducing barriers that discourage young and women’s from contesting elections.
Young and Nigerians women are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities such as the *Not Too Young To Run* Act, which has lowered the age requirements for several political offices. This law serves as a clear signal that the future of Nigeria belongs to its youths/women’s and that they must take active steps toward leadership.
Achieving the 35% youth and women’s inclusion target requires commitment not only from government but also from the youths themselves. By stepping forward to contest political positions and actively engaging in governance processes. Nigerian youths/women’s can help shape a better and more prosperous future for the nation.
The time has come for young and women’s to move beyond being spectators in politics to becoming key players and decision-makers in the democratic process.
Come to think of it, most of our past leaders and political lords were at their twenties and thirties when they started pulling weight in this country. Remember some notable characters like General Yakubu Gowon, Late Major General Muhammadu Buhari, Aguiyi Ironsi, Sani Abacha, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Olusegun Obasanjo, etc, these gigantic political lords were at their twenties in late 60s when they shake this Nation politically and otherwise, but it’s quite regrettable that most of them still came back to rule us in their old age while we, the youths/women’s should fill the gaps. We need to be proactive politically; we need to be awake from slumber politically, we need to always bear in mind that youths and women’s are not just leaders of tomorrow but leaders of today. That ideological framework needs to be changed. And no one can change it if not you and I.
African Democratic Congress (ADC) supports YOUTH 35% inclusion and Women 35% Affirmation, therefore calls and solicits that youths/women’s who know that they have the capacity to aspire for any political position should come out. This is a clarion call to change the narratives. Come out lets make it happen.
We are the Youths/women’s and we are the pillar of our dear nation.
SIGNED:
*HON. JOSEPH ENAN MAGARI.*
PUBLICITY SECRETARY.
NATIONWIDE ASPIRANTS SEMINAR PLANNING COMMITTEE.(NASEPCO).
FOR:
CMR ABEL ABAJI.
CHAIRMAN.
NATIONWIDE ASPIRANTS SEMINAR PLANNING COMMITTEE.(NASEPCO).
