By Abubakar Yunus, Abuja
Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, Nigerian youth under a coalition known as the Youth Awake Now (YAN) said they will present a Charter of Demands to all the presidential candidates.
The group said it was important for the young people to table their demands to ensure the administration, which gets into power would introduce programs that are beneficial to the youth demographic.
YAN comprises youth leaders from groups like Arewa, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afeinifere, the National Association of Nigerian Students. Reading the communiqué of group at a press conference yesterday, spokesperson of the YAN, Barrister Pereotubo Roland explained that the charter of demands from Nigerian youth will be presented to the candidates after which a memorandum of agreement will be signed.
“We, the Nigerian Youths believe strongly that our diversity is our pride and living in peace should be above all.
“We, therefore, express our commitment to work together to build a better Nigeria, amidst our various ethno-religious, political, and cultural diversities.
“With this communique, we commit ourselves to foster intercultural dialogue and relations across all leaders regardless of the party in Nigeria and also call on every Nigerian youth freely express their demands to their preferred candidate using the YAN platform as a common tool to drive socio-economic growth and sustainability for a better future.
“The content endorsed as well as that of the Nigerian Youths will be put together and a major Demand Charter from the Nigerian youth will be presented to the candidates after which a memorandum of agreement will be executed with each of the presidential candidates.
On his part, the Executive Chairman of the YAN, Festus Uchenna explained that the time is right to make the demands, especially as the groups have been holding consultations across the country for the past six months.
She said: ” We won’t endorse anybody until the person agrees to work with their Charter of demand.”
