Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde has urged the Nigerian Senate Committee on Electoral Matters to endeavour to eschew personal interest in their quest to amend the Electoral Act 2022 as amended.
The governor equally tasked the Senate Committee on providing legislations that reflect the wishes and yearnings of Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Governor Makinde made the appeal while playing host to the Senate committee led by its chairman, Senator Sarafadeen Alli representing Oyo South Senatorial District.
While advocating for legislations that engender inclusivity and encourage youths to actively participate in governance at all levels, the second term governor disclosed that it was imperative to remove all gridlocks and barriers that have not allowed Nigerian youths to aspire for elective offices.
He lamented how he was discriminated against on account of being young at 39 years old when he first attempted to contest for the senate in 2007 and how some people tried to repeat same in 2019 when he contested the governorship seat at age 51, stressing the need for a holistic amendment to the Electoral Act 2022.
He noted that the amended 2022 Electoral Act largely improved on the quality and integrity of the nation’s 2023 general elections while also commending the Senate committee for selecting Oyo state as the kick off point for the amendment process to Nigeria’s Electoral Act.
Makinde commended the predominantly young minded state House of Assembly under the leadership of Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin for providing the needed political stability to the government of Oyo state maintaining that the Speaker despite his young age has performed well and that youths only mentorship and guidance to explore their full leadership potentials.
While declaring his full support for the Senate committee on the the task before them, Makinde said “first time I contested, I was 39 and even at 51 they were still saying no this guy is too young to be the governor here.
“So, please, be open minded, I’ve seen people given that opportunity to shape the trajectory for the future so, because of personal interest and selfishness, they missed the road. Who knows who is going to be here tomorrow so, whatever you do, you do it with wider interest of the country and the unity of Nigeria is sacrosanct. So, make amendments that would further cement our democracy and have a United country.”
Addressing newsmen shortly after meeting with Governor Makinde, Senator Alli stated that the committee was in Ibadan on a working visit to seek the governor’s support for the task of amending the Electoral Act 2022.
Expressing his satisfaction at the reception received from the governor and youth stakeholders in the state, Senator Alli added that the committee has taken keen observation of the numeric strength of Nigerian youths in terms of voting power and the new amendment would be holistic and engender inclusivity.
Hon. Adebayo Balogun, chairman, House Committee on Electoral Matter, Federal House of Representatives and national Assembly members were on the entourage.