Osun Movement Of ‘NotTooYoungToRun’ Campaign Asks Assembly To Pass Age Reduction Bill To Law

By Ismail Kolapo, Osogbo

The Not Too Young To Run Movement in Osun has asked the State House of Assembly to pass the age reduction bill to law without further delay.

The movement comprising of youth and civil society groups made the call on Tuesday. The group is advocating for the reduction of age for running for elective offices in order for young persons to participate in vying for elective positions.

The movement said it has succeed in ensuring that the bill succeeds in three states of the South West including Ekiti, Ondo and Ogun states while pleading with others like Osun, Oyo and Lagos states House of Assemblies to consider the bill and pass it to law.

In a press conference organized by Not Too Young to Run, it disclosed that 21 states have passes reduction of age bill into law as part of the constitutional amendment across the country.

Mr. Bukola Idowu, the coordinator of the movement said, “since the Not Too Young To Run bill was transmitted to the 36 States House of Assemblies along with other constitutional amendment bill, at least 21 states have passed the bill.

Recall that in December 2017, the National Assembly transmitted 15 constitutional amendment bills to the States for passage.”

“The Ondo State House Assembly became the first state Assembly to pass the Not Too Youth To Run (age reduction) bill as part of the constitutional amendment,” he added.

While commending the House of Representatives for passing an amendment to section 85 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as Amended) with a call on political parties to ensure that youths between the ages of 18 and 35 are also allowed to vie for elective positions.

Idowu said the the movement was not sponsored by any politician or political party but led by youths who are determined to restructure the country’s political system, transform its leadership and ensure electoral competitiveness.

The coordinator expressed displeasure at the decision of the Taraba state House of Assembly to vote against the bill on the 20th December 2017.

He appealed to National Assembly to transmit the constitutional amendment bills to the President for assent as soon as the amendments are received from State Assemblies.

While speaking, Mr. Femi Olanipekun charged youths to make themselves useful in any office they got elected to stressing that many youths have been contributing positively to the growth of Nigeria since independence.