By; IBRAHIM ADAMU, Kaduna
The Chairman of Makarfi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Engr. Kabiru Makarfi has called on electorate to get their permanent voter cards (PVCs) ready ahead February and March general elections.
Makarfi in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna, also hinted that youth due to their numerical strength, would determine the direction of the next general polls, urging them to make informed decisions on ensuring only credible candidates emerge victorious at the poll.
The politician defined elections as rights of citizens to enthrone public office holders in a representative democracy as practised in Nigeria, adding that apathy and nonchalant attitudes by electorate must be avoided so people’s votes would count.
“We are to witness yet another democratic experiment in few days where citizens will once again determine their future and that of generations to come.
“Youth must be made to understand the important role thy can play in deciding the political fortune of this country where the domino effect of one mistake could lead to underdevelopment and deficit of governance.
“They must be active, smart and politically active to lead the way for a new Nigeria in conformity with the dreams and aspirations of our founding fathers who fought tooth and nail to ensure the actualization of self-rule enjoyed today, ” he stated.
While appreciating the high level of preparedness of the electoral umpire which he noted had put in place measures that would ensure free and fair elections, the politician mentioned credibility, compassion, dynamism, trustworthiness among others as credentials voters should look out for in a candidate before casting their votes.
He called the present challenges faced across the country as toothing stage which must be painful as experienced by all developed democracies as America, India and others, expressing optimism in the ability of Nigeria to overcome her governance-based hiccups and become a model for others to copy in the nearest future.
