Dem young reach to vote, but road to power still get barriers

Young people dey visible well-well for West African election campaigns and protests, but visibility no always mean say dem get seat where decisions dey happen. Jean Sovon regional analysis examine the gap between right to choose leaders and real opportunity to become leader. The main argument na say age rule explain only part of the problem.

Nigeria na useful example. Not Too Young To Run reforms for 2018 reduce minimum presidential age from 40 to 35, and House of Representatives age from 30 to 25. Those changes allow more people qualify under law. But the changes alone no remove the practical obstacles between person wey qualify and person wey successfully become candidate.

The analysis point to campaign money, nomination costs and control inside political parties as other barriers. Younger person fit meet age requirement but no get money, connections or institutional support to secure ticket. This difference matter when people say reform don open politics: qualification and real access relate, but dem no be the same thing.

Protest participation add another angle. Young organisers fit mobilise people, share demands and press authorities to respond even without public office. But turning campaign energy into representation wey go last dey hard unless people get way to continue organising after the immediate confrontation. Government concession for street no be the same as lasting influence over budget or lawmaking.

Options wey the analysis discuss include lower entry costs, support for younger candidates and arrangements wey give dem stronger place for party selection. Each one raise practical questions. Who qualify for support? E reach people wey no get powerful sponsor? Dem dey contest seats wey dem fit win? Counting candidates help, but e no tell us whether dem fit win and exercise authority.

For Nigerian readers, the bigger test na whether political participation get road to decision-making. Lower age threshold fit be important beginning. To assess result, also check nomination practices, resources candidates get and work of people wey win. This article na debate about representation, e no be prediction of any election result.