IPAC CHAIRMAN SUPPORTS YOUTH QUOTA IN PARLIAMENT BILL

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) Chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, has called on all stakeholders to support the Nigeria Youth Representation in Parliament Bill, also known as the “Youth Quota in Parliament” bill. Dantalle declared total support for equitable youth participation in parliament, charging IPAC’s Directorate for Youth Development, Directorate of Women Development, and Directorate of PWD to join the struggle.

“It’s only the youth that can deliver the nation from the current economic circumstances,” Dantalle said. “Yakubu Gowon was 28 when he led the nation. I charge the team to be courageous and never give up in their fight for youth inclusion in parliament.”

The bill seeks to allocate one-third of seats in both the National and State Assemblies as a quota for youth, aged 25-35 and 36-40, comprising both males, young women, and special needs individuals. This aims to address the barriers of underrepresentation of young people in decision-making and advance inclusive governance in Nigeria.

Dantalle urged the team to extend the sensitization across all political parties, civil organizations, and like-minded individuals, and to expand the campaign to the grassroots. He also encouraged the youth to redirect their focus from entertainment and sports to politics, saying, “I wish the love Nigerian youth have for the Premier League can be converted to politics. If we can convert the love we have for Arsenal and Man United, Nigeria will develop within 24 hours.”

The IPAC chairman assured that IPAC is willing to collaborate with the bill’s advocates and will get the message across to all 19 political parties’ platforms, ensuring full support for the advocacy. The team behind the bill was led by Hon. Blessing Oyefeso, a renowned youth development advocate, and includes other notable members.

The advocacy plan includes a Democracy Day celebration, a “Democracy Round Table Dialogue” with the theme “Inclusive Representation in Parliament: Breaking the Barriers,” and the activation of the bill at the floor of the 10th Assembly. A coalition-building and mobilization event is also planned, featuring a solidarity walk to the National Assembly to deliver a declaration and stakeholders’ affirmation for youth representation in parliament.