Youths in the All Progressives Congress, APC are demanding that the Expression of interest and nomination forms should be sold at 70% of the price to young people below 40years.
The APC National Youth leader, Mr. Ismail Ahmed said this while briefing journalists on some of the resolutions reached at the APC National Youth Conference which held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
According to him, the youths are also saying that politically elected leaders running for another term in office should pay more money for the expression of interest forms compared to their counterparts running for the same position for the first time.
“Reduce the price of nomination forms for young people below the age 40 to at least 70% of the amount. When you tell a young person that if you want to contest for Governor you have to pay 20 million for nomination form, that’s a tall order because he has not had the privilege of longevity of holding different positions before to be able to cater for himself I that regard.
“The conference also resolved that anybody who is sitting in a position and wants to recontest for that particular position then his nomination fees should not be that same as of those that are coming new. So if you are a sitting member of House of Reps and you want to recontest and the price of forms is 5mullion Naira, you should be asked to pay 10 million naira because you have already benefitted from the party,” he said.
The youth leader said that the APC youths were demanding that the party set a certain age limit for some positions to give room for more youths to be included in leadership positions.
“The party should fix the age of 35 or below for all counsellorship seats to be contested for under the party, except where such person does not exist or does not have the requisite qualification.
“Young people under the age of 45 should be encouraged and supported by the party to hold Chairmanship seats at the Local Government Council level in all the states of the federation.
“The State Houses of Assembly seats should be pegged at 45 as well to infuse energy and direction at the state legislature.
“At the Party level, young men and women should be encouraged and be given preference to run for every office especially those of deputies should be set aside for youths and women only, perhaps with the exception of the Office of Deputy Chairmen which shall be opened to everyone,” Ahmed said.
The youths said they intended to create an application called the Progressive app which would serve as a one stop shop for getting information on the party and the APC government in Nigeria.
Mr Ahmed said the youths were encouraged to be more involved in party activities at the local level by attending meetings and paying their dues in order to be relevant.
“Sponsor, support and encourage young progressives to contest in the ward congresses, LG congresses, State congresses and in all national
elections with the aim of producing at least 1,000 ward chairmen.
“Become more actively involved in the propagation of the ideals andethos of the APC. Attend regularly all periodic and scheduled meetings of the party at ward, zone, LG, State and National levels,” he stated.
He adds that they should ensure prompt and up to date payment of membership dues.
