The Not Too Young To Run Movement has urged the state House of Assembly to follow the footstep of the 8th National Assembly in writing their names in gold by supporting the #NotTooYoungToRun bill as soon as it is transmitted to the state assemblies. The movement also commended the leadership of the National Assembly for the passage of the historic age reduction bill seeking to reduce the age of running for the office of the President from 40 to 35, Governor 35 to 30; House of Representatives 30 to 25; and state of House of Assembly from 30 to 25.
The movement also called on citizens to contact their representative at the state assemblies and seek their commitment to vote in support of the #NotTooYoungToRun bill to ensure the outcome of the current constitutional review process is a true reflection of the wishes and aspiration of Nigerians.
The call which was made on Tuesday during a press conference in Abuja, noted that the passage of the bill in the National Assembly will remain a historic moment in our constitutional-building process because for the first time young Nigerians will be engaged in the process of propelling a change towards youth inclusive constitution.
Speaking during the conference, Cynthia Mbamalu, a member of the #NotTooYoungToRun Team said, “the passage of the bill in the National Assembly is a call to Nigerians both young and old to join the campaign as the National Assembly proceeds to transmit the constitutional amendments bill to the state Houses of Assembly”. According to Mbamalu, “Our success at the National Assembly will be futile if we lose the support of the state Houses of Assembly to pass the #NotTooYoungToRun bill on age reduction for elective offices and independent candidacy which are currently numbered bills 27 and 14 respectively.”
According to members of the Team, the #NotTooYoungToRun Campaign has been driven by young citizens who are united by a common interest and common values as the journey which has so far has revealed the undeniable potentials in young Nigerians to commit to democratic development and passionately promotes its values in Nigeria. The #NotTooYoungToRun Campaign includes Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) like Activista, Global Abuja Shapers, Connected Development (CODE), the Election Network, Youth Hub Africa, Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA), Amplied Radio, the YALI network and others.
