Don, others task youths on violence free election

Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin

Nigerians, especially the youths have been urged to ensure peaceful conduct of the 2019 general elections. The Director, Centre for Peace Studies, University of Ilorin, Prof. Noah Yusuf made the call at Violence – Free Election Sensitisation Programme organised by an Ilorin – based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Ahmed Ayinla Foundation (AAF). The don described peace as a prerequisite for socio-economic, political and overall development of any society. He, however, identified tribalism and favouritism, political thuggery, God fatherism, sit-tight syndrome, poverty and unemployment, incitement from media, financial inducement, illiteracy and ignorance as some of the factors responsible for violence during elections. Yusuf noted that no development could be achieved in an atmosphere devoid of peace and urged Nigerians and Kwarans in particular to be peaceful in all their undertakings before, during and after the elections. The Chairman of Board of Trustees of AAF, Alh Ahmed Ayinla Jimoh said the foundation aimed at promoting community development and peaceful co-existence in the state and Nigeria at large. He said the programme was part of the foundation’s contributions to a violence- free election. Jimoh added that as a peace scholar, it behoves in him and his foundation to strive very hard for peace to reign before, during and the general elections. He warned youths to shun violence before, during and after the elections in the interest of peace and stability of the state and country at large. In his lecture, the Chief Imam of Olanrewaju Central Mosque, Ilorin, Imam AbdulQadir Salaudeen traced youths restiveness to the failure of government to carry out its responsibilities and injustice. He urged politicians to let the fear of God be their watchwords in all their dealings.