COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE 1-DAY POST 2023 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION REVIEW MEETING FOR POLITICAL PARTIES IN KOGI STATE, ORGANIZED BY THE CONSCIENCE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION (CHRCR) AT HALIMS HOTEL, GANAJA JUNCTION, LOKOJA ON FRIDAY 24TH NOVEMBER 2023 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WOMEN TRUST FUND NIGERIA WITH SUPPORT FROM MACAUTHUR FOUNDATION*
*BACKGROUND:*
The Review meeting was aimed at assessing the roles of young persons in political parties in the just concluded 11th November 2023 in Kogi State and to synergize towards increasing the effective participation of youth and young persons in governance and leadership at State level.
The meeting had in attendance representatives of registered political parties and selected Media practitioners.
There was paper presentations on Inspiring Youths for Leadership and Anti-Corruption and Accountability by Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) Idris Miliki Abdul and the Review of the off-cycle election and post-election activities as observed in the State since the elections were concluded, Challenges of Youth in Attaining Leadership position and the way forward by Executive Director, Initiative for Grassroot Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA), Hamza Aliyu
*OBSERVATIONS:*
– Availability of functional Youth policies in all Political parties is a major set back in fostering effective leadership positions in Party politics
The post-election crisis witnessed after the 11th November 2023 Governorship election in Kogi State is regrettable, unacceptable and condemnable, taking into cognizance the level of engagement and mobilization by various Civil Society Organizations with political parties before and during the elections
– The constitutional restriction on the age for contesting elections is discriminatory and disenfranchises a large percentage of young persons
– The roles of political parties in demanding for the conduct of Local Government Council elections in Kogi state, is disappointing looking at the importance of political parties in governance as they are the only institution mandated by the constitution to contest election in Nigeria as provided in the Constitution and Electoral Laws in Nigeria
– There is no budgetline item for the Kogi State Youth Development Commission in the 2024 proposed Budget for the State and this is unaccepted
– The Legislature are critical stakeholders in ensuring accountability and transparency in governance through legislative process
– Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) representing registered political parties, has not effectively played its role in accountability and transparency in governance
– The results of votes of the 2020 Local Government Councils elections has not been declared and no opposition political party has demanded for it.
– The tenure of the current Local Government Councils ended on December 14th 2023 and there is no machinery put in place by the State Government for democratic governance at that level currently, despite being a tier of Government.
There is no Budgetary provision in the 2024 proposed State Budget for the conduct of the Local Government Councils election, despite the out going Governor being a product of the democratic process through elections. This is worrisome as the Governor took an oat to uphold and defend the Constitutional of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
*_The 11th November 2023 Governorship elections was the most divisive in the history of elections in the state, dividing the citizens/electorates along ethnic and religious lines_*
*RECOMMENDATIONS:*
The meeting made the following recommendations:
– That Political parties must do more to include young persons in their internal party activities through effective specific policies that encourage youth in party leadership positions
– That the current attitude of opposition parties in Kogi State where parties seem weak to challenge the policies of government , is detrimental to forging a vibrant democracy and good governance
*- There must be a deliberate effort by the incoming administration in the State to convene a State Conference to re-establish bonds within the citizens taking into consideration the level of distrust and disunity within 6 months of its inauguration*
– The State House of Assembly must ensure that the Youth Commission and the Ministry of Youths and Sports and other youth focused institutions have adequate funding to carryout activities aimed at improving the development of youths in the State
– Constitutional amendments to remove the age restriction for contesting election must be in the front burner of the current National Assembly, by amending the various sections that provide for the right of young persons at 18 years but can not vote at that age. We proposed that the Constitution should read *“any citizen of Nigeria that has attained the age of 18 years, can vote and be voted for”.*
– We call on The Nigerian Police to as a matter of urgency, conclude its investigations into the post-election violence that has characterized the aftermath of the 11th November 2023 Governorship elections in Kogi State, and make the outcome of such investigation public as soon as possible.
– Political parties must be held accountable for the violent actions of their supporters before, during and especially after the elections in Kogi State.
– The Kogi State House of Assembly must immediately appropriate funds for the conduct of Local Government Councils elections in the State as it is the level of government that provides the most effective platform for young persons to participate in democratic governance particularly at grassroot
– The Inter Party Advisory Council must re-invigorate its responses and actions towards holding the government accountable
The Review meeting commended the Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) for its untiring efforts at improving youth involvement in leadership in Kogi State. It also appreciated The Nigeria Women Trust Fund and MacArthur Foundation for their support and partnership.
*Signed:*
*IDRIS MILIKI ABDUL*
*_Executive Director_*
CONSCIENCE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION (CHRCR)
LOKOJA, KOGI STATE
