Let’s allow youths to contest elections — Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that young Nigerians should be allowed to run for elective public positions in the country.

He said this was especially because the youth had the capacity and competence in the fields of technology, education and other sectors of the economy.

According to Osinbajo, if the nation’s youths are old enough to vote, they should be old enough to run for elective offices.

The vice president stated this at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday while receiving a delegation of Not-Too-Young-To-Run campaigners.

The Not-Too-Young-To-Run campaign is predicted on a bill before the National Assembly seeking to alter sections of the 1999 Constitution to reduce the age limit for running for elective offices in the country.

The vice president maintained that the age people run for elective offices is not as important as their competence.

He, however, emphasised that it was important for the youth to acquire the required skills that would prepare them for political leadership.

He urged the youth to develop their capacities and skills in different areas in order to contribute to leadership, governance and national development.