THESHIELD Garkuwa
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By Lawal Gwanda
Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua (Mutawallen Katsina) stressed the importance of youths and women organizing to control Nigeria’s political landscape.
The Senator made the call on Thursday at the North West Zonal Legislative Interactive Session conducted in Katsina.
The event, themed _“Legislation and Participation of Women and Young Persons in Election and Leadership,”_ was organized by the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters and United Nations Women with funding support from the Government of Canada.
Sen Yar’adua who is the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, encouraged young people to leverage their energy and numbers to contest elective offices rather than relying on established parties.
“Youths should capitalize on their demographic advantage to drive change, women participation is crucial for representative governance.” He said.
He also advocated for early voting through a bill that allows aged, less privileged, and security personnel to vote before the main election date.
On the appointment of the INEC chairman Sen.Yar’adua noted that the current system ensures checks and balances for the Independent National Electoral Commission chairman’s appointment.
He stressed that issues relating to electoral malpractices have to do with the behavioural patterns of the political class and the electorates rather than the complicity of the Electoral Commission.
The two-day event brought together various youths and women groups from the North West of Nigeria.
Notable among those that attended the session include the Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Abdullahi Garba Faskari who represented the state Governor and some members of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters led by the Chairman Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli.
