By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
Kogi-based Civil Society Organisation, Lugard Youth Development and Empowerment Initiative (LYDEI) has called on the political parties in the country to take deliberate and decisive steps towards curbing electoral violence in 2023 General Elections.
Executive Director of LYDEI Prince Okwutepa Aminu, made the call on Tuesday in Lokoja at a Panel Discussion organised for youth leaders selected from the 21 Local Government Areas of Kogi state.
The meeting was organised to commemorate the 2022 International Youth Day themed: “Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World For All Ages, Setting Agenda for Youth and Women Political Participation.”
Aminu called on political parties in the country to organise programmes and activities that would sensitise the youths and all electorates against violence.
According to him, the call on political parties to be proactive ahead of 2023 general elections is imperative as the nation’s electoral system has hitherto been bedeviled by malpractices and violence.
“I advise political parties and youth leaders to organise programmes and activities for young people in their political parties to stop hate speeches and fake news on social media.
“Your campaigns should be issue-based on what you can offer to Nigerians, your capacity to deliver democracy dividends and good governance”, he advised.
He cautioned against vote buying and selling by Nigerians and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to put all necessary measures in place for the conduct of credible, free and fair elections and ensure the votes count.
Aminu stated that there was serious need for synergy to blend youth creativity and technological innovation in the 21st century with the experience of older generation to strengthen peace and stability of the nation’s democracy.
“We also call on the federal government to take immediate steps to address the lingering ASUU Strike”
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Zakari Usman in his goodwill message described the International Youth Day as very important and significant to the Nigerian youth as issues of injustice, unemployment and vices are brought to the front burner.
The Commissioner, represented by Mr Emmanuel Itodo charged Nigerian youth to embrace politics and urged them to shun social vices, electoral violence and be creative in order to have a brighter future devoid of crises.
In his goodwill message to the occasion, Kogi State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Amb. Mohammed Abdullahi reiterated the need for women and youths to come out and vie for elective positions.
Abdullahi, represented by a Deputy Director in the Directorate, Mr Patrick Edogbanya said the the dire need for youth and women to participate at all levels of decision-making to enhance effectiveness in implementation.
He commended women and youths for their participation in the last voter registration exercise and attribute the large turnout to sensitization and mobilization programmes by NOA at all levels.
Abdullahi said that the Agency has already commenced training and retraining of staff at all levels towards sensitising and mobilising the general public to participate in the next general elections.
He appealed to the Youths and all Nigerians to approach issues with patriotism, diplomacy, respect for elders and their opinions and should continue to eschew violence.