By; AMOS TAUNA, Kaduna
The Country Director, Global Peace Foundation Nigeria (GPFN), Rev. John Joseph Hayab has called on youth in the country to choose the right and credible leaders in the 2023 general elections devoid of any biased consideration.
Speaking during a one-day Webinar on ‘Youth Voices Against Electoral Violence’ on Tuesday, organised by the Centre for Peace Advocacy and Sustainable Development (CEPASD) and Global Peace Foundation Nigeria (GPFN), Rev. Hayab stated, “Youth should ensure that the 2023 general elections in the country will be a peaceful one devoid of any crisis. This time around, we should vote in credible leaders who have the interest of the country at heart and have the political will to restore hope to millions of Nigerians.”
He assured that the GPFN and CEPASD would work together with the youths for proper sensitization to have a peaceful electoral process, saying that they would move from places to places including motor parks as well as the places where youths can be reached to sensitize them in order to have a peaceful election in the country.
Sheikh Haliru Maraya, who spoke on “Youth Voices Against Electoral Violence”, stated that electoral violence has been the greatest obstacle to democratic rule in the country and sub-sahara countries.
He opined that electoral violence is caused by illiteracy, ethnicity, impunity, unemployment, believing that Nigeria can eradicate the problems through education, employment, fight against impunity, establishment of court for electoral offences.
Mr. Moses Abolade, who spoke on “Youth in Curbing Electoral Violence”, emphasized that youths should know that their vote is their power and their right, stressing that before election, youth should get involved through observation, working with INEC, have a sound judgement in selecting leaders, be objective in their decisions and be innovative (organize simple program, concert, explore talents & skills, poetry, among others).
Rev. Joseph Hayab who represented Mrs. Christie George, as a result of network issue, spoke on “Curbing Misinformation and Disinformation to curb Electoral Violence”, noted that youths are not properly connected to information, believing that it is as a result of wrong assumption, poor information dissemination, influence of government over information agencies.
She said that all institutions need to work together to properly sensitize and inform the populace, stressing that institutions such as religion, media, schools, NGOs, need to come together to educate and disseminate information.
She opined that the country’s curriculum system should be developed to take care of all lapses.
