Foundation Advocates Youth Participation in Electoral Reforms

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

A foundation, J-DEV in collaboration with National Democratic Institute (NDI) and National Endowment For Democracy (NED), has advocated  youth participation in Nigeria electoral reforms.

Addressing journalists at the youth forum for the North-west, the Programme Manager of J-Dev Foundation , Sophie Akut, said   they were  in Sokoto to interact with youths from Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara State.

Akut noted that the objective of the forum was to identify challenges encountered during 2023 elections and proffer solutions through engagements with relevant stakeholders.

She  maintained that the responses and suggestions gathered during the forum will be taken to relevant authorities for scrutiny and consideration, stating that similar engagement is taking place in other geopolitical zones of the country.

On his part, the Sokoto state Coordinator of the Programme, Yusuf Muhammad Ladan, noted that the forum would serve as an avenue to gather views from youths on how to  improve the electoral system in Nigeria ahead of 2027 general election. 

He, however, expressed dismay over non-friendly political atmosphere for youth in the country.

Also speaking the Kebbi state Coordinator, Hauwa Ali Musa, expressed delight with the engagement of youths in the current political cycle.

She frowned on  how elderly politicians took over the political space while depriving the youths the chance to make impact.

Also in his comment, the Zamfara state Coordinator, Dr. Anas Sanusi, explained that the forum which drawn different  stakeholders including the INEC, security, politicians, voters as well as the  civil societies organisations (CSOs) and the media came at the right time in view of the importance of issues to be discussed.

He described corruption as one of the major problems hindering free, fair and credible elections.