CHHELD attends National Youth Dialogue

CHHELD Executive Director, Dandyson Harry Dandyson was invited to attend the National Youth Dialogue as a special Guest of Honour by the leadership of the Nigerian Youth Parliament but was represented by the FCT Laison officer Miss Edino Ojonela Victoria.

The National Youth Dialogue with Political Parties 2023 was a significant event that aimed to empower young people in Nigeria by providing them with a platform to engage with political parties on issues that directly affect them. The event, which took place on February 16th, 2023, in Abuja, was convened by The Nigerian Youth Parliament in collaboration with YALI Network Abuja, People Oriented Policy, and Good Governance Initiative.

The primary objective of the National Youth Dialogue was to bring together young people and relevant stakeholders to dialogue with political parties on their manifestos, specifically how their policies and promises to affect the youth. The event which was the fifth edition of the forum was themed, ‘Know the Candidate, Know Their Manifesto,’ highlights the importance of understanding the candidates’ plans and their parties’ policies to make informed decisions during elections.

The event featured keynote addresses by the representative of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sport development and plenary discussions with the political parties in attendance. The All-Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) were represented at the event.

The plenary discussions provided an opportunity for young people to engage with the political parties, ask questions, and provide feedback on their policies and promises. This engagement between young people and political parties is vital for building trust, promoting transparency and accountability, and ultimately promoting peaceful election participation.

This report is sectioned into four categories, the first is on the introduction, this is immediately followed by a dialogue with the APC representative, next is with the SDP representative, followed by a dialogue with the PRP representative and finally a concluding remark by the National Youth Parliament.

CHHELD Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Laison Officer, Miss Edino Ojonela Victoria with other attendees

Introduction

The introduction section provides an overview of the purpose and scope of the report, highlighting the key issues and topics that will be covered in the event. The event commenced with the introduction of the special guest and host organization, followed by the observance of the National Anthem. The moderator then provided a summary of the aim of the event, which was to provide a platform for young voters who (were described as the bedrock of Nigerian society) to better understand the plans of the candidates and the policies of their respective parties, enabling them to make more informed decisions during the upcoming elections.

Dialogue with APC representative

The second section of the report is a dialogue with the All-Progressives Congress (APC) representative. In this section, the representative (Dr. Queen Zara Onyinye) was asked questions related to their party’s policies, plans, and strategies for various issues, such as the economy, education, healthcare, and security. The representative’s statement highlights the APC’s position as a political party that is committed to creating a better Nigeria. She emphasized the importance of all Nigerians, particularly the youth, to prioritize the interests of the country over political affiliations. Furthermore, the representative provided a brief history of the APC, stating that the party was formed in 2014 and came into power in 2015, becoming the ruling party in Nigeria. This information provides context for the party’s relatively recent entry into the Nigerian political landscape, as well as its rapid ascent to power.

As the deputy national spokesperson of the youth directorate in the APC, the representative is well-positioned to speak on behalf of the party’s youth constituency. Her comments indicate that the APC is actively engaging with young people and taking their concerns and aspirations seriously. Regarding the party’s flag bearer, Sen. Tinubu Asiwaju, the representative praised his achievements in Lagos state, suggesting that he is a capable leader who has made positive changes in his area of governance. 

While the representative’s statement emphasized the APC’s commitment to a better Nigeria in terms of health, education, social welfare packages, she did not directly address the specific question asked around the ‘EndSars Protest’ and the party’s stance during the period.

In summary, the dialogue focused on the APC’s achievements and challenges and their future plans.

Dialogue with SDP representative

The third section of the report is a dialogue with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) representative. In this section, the representative (Hon. Uchechukwu Chukwu) was asked questions about their party’s platform and policies, as well as their stance on critical issues affecting the country. The representative emphasized the importance of focusing on the integrity of the candidates rather than the structures of the political parties they belong to. He encouraged the youths to recognize the significant change that has occurred in Nigeria’s political space, where citizens and youths are now speaking up and voicing their disappointments.

The representative urged the youths to exercise their civic duty by going to the ballot and voting for the right person. He acknowledged that leadership is a significant problem in Nigeria, but he believed that it can be solved by voting in the right person. The SDP representative highlighted that his party chose their candidate based on competence and integrity rather than financial strength.

He pointed out that some political parties charge exorbitant fees, over 100 million naira, for presidential nomination forms, but he refused to name these parties. The representative’s comments suggest that the focus should be on the individual candidates and their qualities, rather than on the structures of the political parties they represent. He further noted that SDP is youth inclusive as the party provided an incentive for the youths to purchase their forms through 50% fee slash. The dialogue further explored the SDP’s achievements, challenges, and policies.

Dialogue with PRP representative

The fourth section of the report is a dialogue with the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) representative. In this section, the representative (Haruna Mamdam) was asked questions about their party’s ideology, values, and principles, as well as their policy proposals for key issues. The representative’s focused on the program and manifesto of the PRP, highlighting the party’s commitment to transparency and inclusivity. He emphasized the party’s history and core values, saying that PRP is the oldest political party in Nigeria with the registration date in 1978. The representative stressed that PRP seeks to build trust and rapport with the young voters. He further highlighted that the party has a deep understanding of the country’s political landscape and can draw upon its long-standing relationships with various stakeholders to advance its agenda, given the fact that the party is the oldest political party in Nigeria.

The representative further asserted that the party has a socialist orientation and most of its programs are people centered. He highlighted the party’s commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable society that works for all Nigerians. He noted that party’s focus on human rights, values, and a state-controlled economy underscores its belief in a more egalitarian society where resources are distributed more fairly, and the benefits of economic growth are shared more widely.

The representative in the dialogue call for youths and Nigerians to hold the party accountable if its policies after being elected are no longer people centered. He stressed that PRP sets itself apart from other political parties, which often tend to be more insular and less responsive to the needs and aspirations of ordinary Nigerians.

He summarized the party’s key policy priorities, including revitalizing agriculture, revamping the economy, education and human capital development, international unity and true federalism, and improving national security. And noted that these policy priorities reflect the party’s commitment to creating a more inclusive and prosperous society where all Nigerians could thrive and succeed. The dialogue examined the PRP’s achievements, challenges, and future.

Closing remark by The National Youth Parliament

Dr. Azeezui Yishewu summarized the key points from the sections and draw overall conclusions while offering recommendations for the way forward. She reinstated that the National Youth Dialogue with Political Parties 2023 is a commendable effort towards creating a more politically aware and engaged youth population. The event’s success is a testament to the power of collaboration between government agencies, civil society organizations, and young people in promoting democratic values and good governance.

CHHELD Federal Capital Territory Laison Officer, Miss Edino Ojonela Victoria

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