The United States Government Exchange Alumni Association has called for an increase in women and youth participation in politics and electoral processes in Nigeria.
The call was made during a Town Hall Meeting in Osogbo, Osun State capital on Tuesday themed “Increasing Women and Youth Participation In Politics and Electoral Processes”, during a program organized by the United States Government Exchange Alumni Association, Osun State Chapter with the support of the U.S. Consulate General, Lagos.
Femi Adefila, the Chief Executive Officer, Rave FM 91.7, while speaking, said women and youth who constitute 101 million and 33.3 million of Nigeria’s population should be encouraged to participate in politics.
We want to sensitize them, to galvanize their interests and their consciousness that it is a civic responsibility that we should take very seriously. Do you imagine 101 million women and 33.3 million being passive and not active in politics?
There are no polling units on the social media, Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, you need to be active. You need to leave the comfort of your home, go to the polling units and perform your civic responsibility. That is the only strategy for you to use to elect your leaders. Enough of complaining and enough of gang-standing; it is time for active participation.
According to Adefila, this period is the most auspicious time for youthful participation, especially as Osun gubernatorial election draws nearer.
In a remark,Mojirade Aminu, the Executive Director of Women for Social Justice, said the participation of the youths and women should not be only during the election period.
Their participation should be a continuous one, they should not come out during the election time. They have to have the knowledge of what it takes to belong to a political party. They have to know the electoral process. They should get their PVCs, belong to a political party and try to contest for a post.
There are different women-concerned groups that train women who want to go into politics. We want this to be a continuous one and not just when the election is near.” She said.
