By Meletus EZE
The Ikorodu Division Youth Movement (IDYM), Lagos State, on Sunday said political office holders need to give prioritity to issues that concern the youth.
Mr Oluwaseun Elesho, President and Coordinator of IDYM, made the appeal at an interactive session and debate organised for some party candidates, at the Ikorodu Town Hall.
TBI Africa quoted the News Agency Nigeria(NAN) reports that candidates in Ikorodu, seeking election into the legislature from different political parties were present for the debate.
They include Mrs Oyebanjo Adeola of African Democratic Congress (ADC) Mr Balogun Rotimi, Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), Prince Adegoke Adeola, Alliance for Democracy (AD) and Mr Adeyemi Odofin (ADC).
Others present were Mr Paul Okoro (ANN), Ayobami Bork (AD) and Mr Sanai Agunbiade, All Progressives Congress (APC).
Elesho said that youths made up the highest number among the electorate and needed to know what plans candidates seeking their votes had for them.
” The essence of organising the debate is to ensure that people of the constituency have the opportunity to ask questions from various candidates on their plans if they are elected.
“The electorate will have direct discussions and engagement with them on how to tackle and improve the lives of people in the constituencies,” Elesho said.
He said the debate and interactive session with political office holders was to help in getting a better attitude of political leaders and office holders to the youth.
Elesho used the opportunity to also warn youths not to engage themselves in political violence as the forthcoming general elections draw closer.
Answering questions from the youths on their plans for the constituencies if voted as the lawmakers, the candidates unfolded what they had in store.
Mrs Oyebanjo Adeola, an ADC candidate, said she was in the race to better the lives of people.
She promised to partner with the civil society in getting feedback and bringing dividends of democracy to the grassroots.
Mr Balogun Rotimi of ANN said he would ensure more people are educated through scholarship, to tackle unemployment in his constituency.
Mr Adeyemi Odofin of ADC said he would create skill acquisition programmes to empower people and make them self-employed.
Mr Ayobami Bork, a candidate of the AD, said that if voted in as a lawmaker, he would help lots of youth with empowerment programs that would benefit them.
Mr Sanai Agunbiade, a candidate of the APC said that he would carry the people along as a legislator and positively impact on the constituency.
Agunbiade commended the organisers of the programme, saying youths should be able to know and screen the candidates, to be able to make the right choices.
