2019 polls: Young Nigerians march against electoral violence, vote buying

Thousands of young Nigerians, including youth corps members, on Tuesday in Abuja marched against electoral violence and vote buying ahead of the forthcoming general elections. Tagged “Vote Not Fight National Day of Action Peace Walk’’, the event held simultaneously in the 36 states of the federation, according to the organisers. The walk, which had young people as its primary targets, provided a platform for participants to advocate for peace before, during and after the elections billed for Feb. 16 and March 2. It was organised by the Youngstars Development Initiative (YDI) in partnership with the 2Baba Foundation and the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). The Abuja leg of the walk, which began at the Unity Fountain, saw the participants bearing posters, placards and banners with different inscriptions denouncing electoral violence. Speaking at event, the Executive Director of YDI, Mr Kingsley Bangwell, urged young people to be champions of peace before, during and after the election. “We know that young people are those that have the energy and the strength to perpetrate any form of violence, but we are telling them not to respond to that act. “The message is simple; they should go out and vote on Feb. 16 and March 2, and when they go out they should conduct themselves peacefully. “They should vote and stay away from any form of violence, hate speech and vote buying. “We want a peaceful nation. Otherwise, if there is violence after the election, who are you going to govern? “We all need peaceful atmosphere because there can be no meaningful development in the absence of peace,” he said. The Country Director of YALI, Ms Awele Otakpor, likened young people who either sell their votes or allow themselves to be used as political thugs to “dead men walking”. “If you sell your vote, you sell your future. Do not allow any party to use you. If you do not want to vote, sit down at home. “But if you do not vote, you don’t have the right to criticise or complain about any bad leader that emerges from your negligence. “If you allow yourself to be sold or be used for political thuggery, then you don’t have a say in anything that has to do with your country.” She advised Nigerians to monitor the ongoing political campaigns by the various parties across the country to be able to make informed choices at the polls. Mr Bem Aga, the Senior Programme Manager of the National Democratic Institute (NDI), one of the sponsors of the event, called for policies and legislation to pave way for the emergence of young leaders in public offices. Aga urged stakeholders, including the National and State Assemblies and the Presidency to approve independent candidacy in the electoral process through the amendment of the Constitution. The event was sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and its United Kingdom counterpart, UKAID.