Some groups in Ikorodu area of Lagos,have advocated the need for the All Progressives Congress (APC) to give more slots to youths in the upcoming local government election in the state.
The Concerned Ikorodu Division Youths (CIDY) in conjunction with the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) after a strategic meeting in Ikorodu conveyed the appeal in Lagis
The coordinator of CIDY, Mr Samson Bisiru, told newsmen after the meeting, that it was time the APC gave more slots to youths with a view to enabling the youths grow in politics of the state and the south west in general.
He noted that over the years, the youths had been marginalised due to paucity of funds that would have enabled them compete with others in the state for elective positions.
“The party should give specific slots to youths across the state and ensure that payment for nomination forms are made affordable for them.The guidelines for election give consideration for the youths, so we are calling on them to fully participate in the coming local government election.Other states in Nigeria are enjoying youths engagement,” he said.
Also speaking, the APC aspirant contesting for chairmanship position in Ikorodu North LCDA, Mr Adedoyin Ogunbiyi, said Ikorodu youths are ready to join politics to change the narrative of the community development.
Ogunbiyi said that the political class had been recycling same set of people with no result.
He urged the leadership to embrace a level plain ground during the primary election to know who is more acceptable by the community.
“We are calling on the leadership to allow all candidates to showcase themselves and see how much they are accepted by their communities.Youths are the bedrock of development of any country because they constitute a larger percentage of any country.
“It is imperative for every country to understand that the youths have important role to play when it comes to development.So, we are charging them to join politics to change the narrative,” he said.
Mr Jimoh Azeez, who is also contesting for Ikorodu Local Government chairman under the APC,urged youths to join politics and reposition the political landscape of the state.
Azeez implored politicians to embrace 21st century way of running corporate governance that had modern way of generating revenue through technology.
“Politician need to build a purposeful society that can better the life of residents.They need to embrace technology, scientific way of operating like a corporate governance, embracing modern way of generating internal revenue, ” Azeez said.
Also Mr Ganiu Abiru, former chief clerk, Lagos State House of Assembly,called on residents and political leaders to support and encourage the youths in politics.
Abiru said they had what it takes to manage the mantle of leadership and advised them to come out en mass to vote for their candidates during the primary election.
“From our conversation at this media parley I can see they are loaded, all they need is support from electorates,” he said.