2 days ago
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A group, under the auspices of the Ondo State Youth Network, has called on political parties to include young people in leadership positions for the forthcoming local government elections.
The Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission has scheduled the local government elections for January 18, 2025, across the state’s 18 local government areas.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the group’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Christopher Olusa, the group urged political stakeholders in the state to prioritise the inclusion of young people in leadership roles, specifically for the chairmanship and councilorship elections.
The statement particularly asked all parties involved in the election to nominate credible youth candidates for the chairmanship and councilorship positions.
The statement read: “With the ODIEC announcing on August 30, 2024, that the local government elections will be held on January 18, 2025, this is an opportunity to ensure youth representation at critical grassroots levels of governance.
“We strongly urge all political parties (such as APC, YPP, PDP, and others) to recognise and nominate young individuals of character, competence, and integrity to contest in these elections. As a youth-led organisation committed to empowering young people in Ondo State, we are prepared to support and campaign for our peers who step forward to represent their communities.
“The Youth Network asserts that Ondo State youths are not too young to lead as local government chairpersons or, at the very least, to serve as ward councillors. It is time to challenge the status quo and empower the next generation of leaders to drive innovation and sustainable development at the grassroots.”
The group, which congratulated the state governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on his victory in the recent governorship election, also called on the governor to include young people in his next administration.
They further asked the governor to establish a youth commission to be led by a young person.
“We, the youth, supported, voted for, and actively participated in Aiyedatiwa’s victory. It is only fair that we are rewarded with opportunities to lead. We are not merely asking; we are demanding youth inclusion in governance, starting with local government councils.”
“Ahead of the January elections, we encourage members of the Ondo State Youth Network to declare their interest in these critical leadership positions. We remain steadfast in our advocacy for a youthful commissioner to represent the aspirations and needs of young people in the state. Our call for the establishment of a youth commission, led by a young person, is not just a request but a necessity to ensure the active participation of youth in decision-making processes,” the statement stated.
