Ahead of 2023 general election, a non governmental organization Lugard Youth Development and Empowernment Initiative (LYDEI) has called on political parties in the country to organize programmes that will create enabling environment for the conduct of violence free election in 2023.
The Executive Director LYDEI Mr Okwutepa Aminu Oseni made the call on Tuesday at a one day event to celebrate the 2022 international youth day in Lokoja, Kogi State.
According to him, the calls on political parties to be proactive ahead of 2023 general elections became imperative to curb the incessant electoral violence that most often than not be deviled the conduct of election in the country.
“I advise political parties, youth leaders to organized programmes and activities for young people in their political parties to stop hate speech and fake news on social media and promote issue base campaign to promote their candidate ahead of the 2023 general election to stop overheating the politics” he state.
Speaking on the theme of the celebration, “Intergenerational solidarity: creating a world for all ages, Setting Agenda for youth and women political participation”, the Executive Director stated that synergy of youth creativity, technology innovation in the 21th century and the experience of old generation would strengthened peace and stability of the nation democratic journey if well harnessed.
He charged the old generation of politicians in the country the needs to show measurable commitment for the voices of the youth to be heard in the governance of the country.
“The important of this gathering cannot be over emphasis because of the role young people play in our electoral process in Nigeria, this programme is design for us to learn from the old generation, make reflection, share ideas on how we can improve our political participation ahead of 2023 General Election” he said.
The Kogi State Commissioner for health Dr. Zakari Usman in his goodwill message charged Nigerian youth to embrace politics and actively involve in the political activities of the nation, noting that by so doing the country will be a better place for the citizens.
He called on the youth to shun social vices, political thuggery and electoral violence, urging them to be creative in order to have a brighter future devoid of crises.
The State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA) Kogi State Directorate , Ambassador Mohammed Othman Abdullah who was represented by Mr Patrick Edogbanya a deputy director in charge of documentation, translation and publication in the agency, advocated for youth and women participation in decision-making to make them relevant in the governance of the country.
NOA boss commended women and youths for their participation in the last voter registration exercise, Attributing the large turnout to sensitization and mobilization programmes carried out by the agency at all levels.
“As part of NOA’s role of sensitising Nigerians on Government Policies, Programmes and activities, the Agency is already embarking on training and retraining NOA Staff at all levels towards sensitising and mobilizing the general public to participate in the next general elections.
He appealed to the Youths and all Nigerians to approach all issues with patriotism, diplomacy, respect for elders and their opinions, urged them to continue to eschew violence .
