The Sokoto State Young Lawyers Forum has reiterated commitments to participate fully in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
The Former Chairman of the forum, Barrister Aliyu Umar stated this during training on the election, Legislative Engagement, Governance and Development organised by Yiaga Africa, in Sokoto state.
Barrister Aliyu described the training as apt and timely considering the 2023 elections are around the corner.
He also said that the training would serve as an opener to fast-tracking an enhanced avenue for young lawyers to support young candidates in the political circle to maximally utilise the services of young professional lawyers in pursuing litigations in court and succeed.
He added that young practitioners have the required capacity and competence to drive democracy and defend election cases of young candidates in court.
He also noted that young lawyers of the firm belief that with their basic conceptual knowledge in the law profession, can drive the professional mandate and demonstrate impeccable capacity in challenging election litigations in court as SANs and other senior lawyers.
“We have the instruments and capacity to deliver as we have what it takes to win cases given the latitude of experience and designed framework within the professional circle,” Aliyu noted.
In her remarks, the Director of Programmes, Yiaga Africa, Cynthia Mbamalu, said the non Governmental Organisation based programme was set to remove the barrier and monopoly being driven by few echelons in the law profession.
According to the Director, Yiaga Africa is widening the space and horizon for young lawyers with the capacity to engage in expanding beyond the theories margin in court for smooth landscaping for young candidates to avail themselves of their services.
She said Yiaga Africa had over 18 months, promoted and implemented various activities related to young aspirants and candidates across Nigeria.
Mbamalu explained that no fewer than 120 young Nigerians in politics were galvanised on the rudiments of participation in politics.
She further disclosed that the organisation had widened its training programme on voter registration and mobilisation as well as captured community organisations in addition to engaging stakeholders in media round table activities to turn up democracy and young persons participation in politics.
“Our presence is felt across the 36 states including the African continent through active synergy with relevant organs to enrich and upscale young participation in politics of development and good governance.
“No less than 51% of young candidates participated in 2019 in North and 28.6% were from NW”, she pointed out.
She, however, appreciated the role of lawyers in ensuring transparency in the electoral process while noting that young persons’ participation in politics should be encouraged and supported at challenging elections conducted in court.
Mbamalu decried the low level of understanding of the basic framework of the law by young lawyers and politicians to enable them to challenge electoral wrongs in court.
“We have to drive the course for young lawyers to have basic knowledge of the legal framework to support young candidates on election litigations”, Mbamalu stressed.
She lauded President Muhammadu Buhari and members of the national assembly for enacting and assenting to the 2022 Electoral Act which also reduced the age limit for participation in the elective contest.
” It has further favoured and encouraged young person’s participation in politics.” She added.
Cynthia Mbamalu however said Yiaga Africa would continue to advocate for the increase in youths’ inclusiveness in politics across 36 states of the federation.
Dominica Nwabufo
