By Idris Ibrahim, Abuja
Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Friedrich Ebert Stifung (FES) Open Minds Young Voices (OMYV) has launched a Manifests Track project as part of it strategic vision of holding elected officials accountable.
The project was unveiled, Thursday in Abuja in a dialogue series discussions with the theme “Beyond Election Promises- Role of the Youths.
Speaking during the launch of the event, Rabiat Usman, Coordinator FES Open Minds – Young Voices, said the project is one that will keep track of campaign promises of politicians and hold elected officials responsible for their campaign promises.
Speaking earlier, German Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Benhard Schlagheck, urged young Nigerian youths to be part of the political process.
“Elections belong to the people, power isn’t given, it is taken. All the marginalized groups must work together, don’t pitch any section of the society against the other. Young people must hold politicians accountable. You need to take action,” he said.
In his reaction, Communication Officer, Ojooluwa Ibiloye noted that the youths should participate in building a viable political system and hold leaders accountable by having constant engagement with them.
“Young people should contest for elective positions and should look beyond promises. Elections should be actual means to deliver good governance,” he said.
The first panel conversation was conveyed by Ulrich Thum (FES Nigeria Resident Representative), Chinedu Nwagu (Project Director, Trust Africa) Sentel F. Barnes (Chief of Party, International Republican Institute), and Cynthia Mbamalu (Project Manager, YIAGA Africa) they deliberated on “Active Citizenship: Youths as Social Influencers.”
While the panelists of the second dialogue session was deliberated by Serah Makka-Ugbabe (Country Director, ONE Campaign Nigeria), Hamza Lawal (CEO, Connected Development), Chioma Agwuegbo (Program Manager, Reboot) on “Campaign Promises and Manifesto: How Can the Youth hold Leaders Accountable?”
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