By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – AHEAD of the National Assembly’s voting on amendments to the Constitution of the Federal Re public of Nigeria 1999 as amended and Electoral Act, youth under the Youth-led Electoral Reform Project (YERP_Naija) consortium, Friday, urged lawmakers to vote in favour of these youth-backed
priorities.

The call was made at a press conference, which the Head, Research and Strategy, Kimpact Development Initiative, KDI, Oluwafemi Adebayo, spoke on behalf of the youth under the YERP_Naija Project said the priorities backed by the youth include: Conclusion of all pre-election cases before election day and resolution of post-election cases before inauguration.

Establishment of the Electoral Offences Commission; Independent Candidacy; Creation of Reserved Seat Bill for women in State and Federal legislature; Timely and mandatory electronic transmission of election results; and interpretation and year-round implementation of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

Adebayo said: “Nigeria stands at an important turning point in its democratic development. As the National Assembly begins voting on amendments to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and Electoral Act, the Youth-led Electoral Reform
Project (YERP_Naija) consortium, coordinated nationally and the at the North Central region by Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) alongside JESZ Development Foundation (North West), Connected Advocacy (South South), Child Protection and Peer Learning Initiative (North East), New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative (South West), and Catch Them Young Community Initiative (South East), commends major stakeholders, especially the lawmakers for progressing the ongoing constitutional and electoral reform process.

“The proposed reforms reflect urgent public demands, particularly those of young Nigerians who continue to face the consequences of opaque election processes, delayed justice, weak institutional accountability, and exclusion from political opportunities.

“These reforms do not only strengthen the system for citizens; they also benefit lawmakers by reducing post-election disputes, limiting judicial uncertainty, and protecting the legitimacy of elected officials.

“Supporting these reforms positions legislators as champions of democratic accountability and signals a genuine commitment to building an electoral process worthy of citizens’ trust.

“As the nation prepares for the 2027 general elections, the passage of these reforms will significantly shape public confidence, reduce political tension, and help secure credible outcomes.

With the National Assembly set to conclude voting in the coming weeks, the YERP_Naija Consortium calls on all lawmakers to vote in favour of these youth-backed priorities.

“These decisions will influence the stability of communities, the confidence of citizens, and the future of democratic governance.
We also urge Nigerians—civil society groups, journalists, youth networks, and civic leaders—to continue amplifying these demands.

“Sustained public pressure remains essential in ensuring that elected representatives uphold national interest above partisan considerations.

“The credibility of the 2027 elections, and broader public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process, depends on the timely passage of these reforms and their effective implementation.

“As partners under the NDI-supported YERP_Naija campaign, we reaffirm our commitment to a democratic process that reflects the aspirations of Nigeria’s young population.”

However, he emphasizing how important the reforms are to Nigeria’s democratic inclusion, he said, “These reforms deserve passage, not postponement. The future of electoral accountability and public trust rests on the decisions made at this moment.”

Meanwhile, the Assistant Programmes Manager, Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, West Africa, Agadu Elijah, expressed his organization’s support for the call by the YERP_Naija consortium, and also called on the National Assembly to do the needful that would make them write their names in gold.