TheCable

Emmanuel Uduaghan, former governor of Delta, has asked political parties in the country to reduce the fees for expression of interest form ahead of the 2019 elections.

Uduaghan said this while speaking at a youth conference to mark the International Youth Day in Warri.

The former governor said a reduction in the fee of the forms would encourage youths’ participation in politics.

The Delta south senatorial aspirant asked young people seeking to be leaders to first learn how to manage time.

“When young people stand for election, they don’t enjoy the support of fellow youths. They are still the ones that try to bring their fellow youths down. Any youth standing for election must focus on mobilizing the youths instead of running down older candidates as a form of manifesto,” he said.

“Our political parties should lower their fees for expression of interest form for youths especially ahead of 2019 general election, because without it the campaign for not-too-young-to-run which was recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari will be a mirage. 2019 will be a test ground for young people seeking to lead.

“Youths must support themselves for elective positions. Nigerian youths must borrow leaf from global young presidents such Emmanuel Macron of France.”

On his part, Uyero Erarawewho, coordinator of Core Delta Youth, said the country’s narrative could only change if youths “positively” engage in politics.

“We can only change the old narratives if we stand up as youths to engage ourselves positively in politics as we make up 65 percent of the electorate,” Erarawewho said.

“We have to be relevant and that is what Core Delta Youth stand for, being committed to good governance and 30 per cent inclusion of youths in government.”