Group to sponsor 36 youths for legislative positions in 2023
Agency report
The Nigerian Alliance (TNA) a pressure group has unveiled plans to sponsor 36 young Nigerians vying for legislative positions across the country in the 2023 general elections.
Ms Simi Olusola, Executive Director, TNA, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Monday.
Olusola said that the gesture was aimed at creating avenues for patriotic and visionary youths leadership in the country, towards ensuring equity, justice and liberty.
According to her, six persons below 45 years including persons with disabilities will be selected from each geo political zone of the country.
“The selection will be made in accordance with laid down criteria which includes track record of service, secondary school minimum educational qualifications and known source of income,” she said.
Olusola pointed out that the group’s plans was besed on the fact the legislators were the true custodians and representatives of people in a democracy.
She noted that the concept would serve as a platform for Nigerians determined to transform politics and improve governance with clearly defined ideas and policy pillars.
“There has never been a more urgent need for patriotic Nigerians to rise in defence of our democracy.
“The events of our recent past have brought to the fore the glaring need to elect through free and transparent means, leaders whose allegiance is first, foremost and only to Nigeria.
“Young democrats can no longer afford to sit on the fence as the old political order conspires to consolidate their campaign of state capture.
“With the Nigerian Alliance we can change all that, we are building a society for every Nigerian,” she said.
She said that addressing the country’s current challenges required new and courageous ideas.
“The TNA has developed seven policy pillars to address some of the country’s challenges head-on.
“This includes the right to life, universal healthcare, freedom of speech, police reform, equity and inclusion, restructuring and a living wage,” she said.
Ms Sharon Orisakwe, the Project Leader, TNA, stressed the commitment of the group towards raising leaders who would deliver good governance to Nigerians and make the country a better place.
She said the objective was to produce leaders who would listen and be dedicated to the people and would not turn away from doing the hard things needed to fix Nigeria and make it a better place for all.
“We will provide support for their campaigns from start to finish, build a critical mass of support and provide capacity development to ensure they are able to be the kind of leaders Nigeria needs.
“We are throwing our doors of partnership open to anyone who wants to help fix Nigeria; you can volunteer your time, donate and lend your voice. This is our time and we need your help,’’ Orisakwe said.
Mr Ariyo-Dare Atoye, Executive Director, Adopt a Goal for Development Initiative, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), said that the idea would help entrench principles of democracy in the country.
While commending the National Assembly on electronic transmission of election results and direct primaries for election of party candidates, Atayo said that young Nigerians would overcome difficulties in winning election, if the bill was signed into law.
He appealed to Nigerians to support the project which he described as credible.
According to him, Nigerians can go to the website https:// thenigerianalliance.org to apply.
“Applications opens on Nov. 15 and closes on Dec. 13, while unveiling of the final 36 will be on Dec. 17,” he said.