Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has solicited the support of Nigerians to allow youths the opportunity to run for elective public offices in the country.
Osinbajo who stated this on Thursday while receiving a delegation of the Not-Too-Young-To-Run campaigners at the Presidential Villa in Abuja said the youths had the capacity and competence in technology, education and other sectors of the economy to pilot the affairs of the country.
The VP maintained that the age of people who run for elective offices was not as important as their competence, arguing that if the youths in the country were old enough to vote, they should also be old enough to contest for elective offices.
He however emphasized the importance of youths acquiring the required skills and experience that would prepare them for political leadership, urging them to strive hard towards developing their capacities in different areas to contribute their quota to leadership, governance and national development.
“I think that whatever age a person chooses to run for office shouldn’t matter at all; that for me is a fundamental principle, it really doesn’t matter, even if you’re much younger or older in age.
“The most important issue… my worry always is so much about the preparedness of young people, the preparedness of anyone, young or old,” Osinbajo added.
The Not-Too-Young-To-Run campaign is predicated on a bill before the National Assembly seeking to alter sections of the 1999 Constitution to reduce the age limit for contesting elective offices in the country.
Tinubu Confers Posthumous National Honour On Late Lagbaja
Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Climbs To 33.88% In October 2024
Supreme Court Upholds EFCC’s Legitimacy, Rejects States’ Challenge
NJC Recommends Retirement, Suspends Judges Over Misconduct