2019: Group March For Credible Elections
Loading ...From Msughshima Andrew, Makurdi
National Stakeholder’s Group, a civic advocacy organisation, says youth in Nigeria are ready to increase the chances of peaceful and credible elections in Nigeria.
State Coordinator of the group, Nelson Ike who led youths leaders on a March to commemorate 2018 Democracy in Makurdi said that the group is mobilizing the youths to restore the true meaning and value of democracy in the country.
The youths who bore placards with inscriptions like “We Walk to make Nigeria Great Again”, “Walk for Credible, Free and Fair 2019 Elections”, marched from Woodland Parks at the Old GRA to IBB Square High-level to press home their message.
Ike said that the walk is aimed at encouraging Nigerian youths not to allow themselves to be used as thugs or for violence by politicians during the 2019 elections.
According to him, the group also intends to increase youth access to information concerning peaceful election especially as it concerns unwanted attitudes during and after elections.
“No youth should be a tool or weapon in the hands of any politician to cause confusion. In the past, politicians have used them and dumped them so awareness for peace should be the order of the day,” he said.
He said the group had made conscious decision to monitor events during the 3019 elections in order to safeguard electoral integrity and create governmental and political accountability.
“2015 was a year of gain to every Nigerian and must be sustained. The voice and votes of the people must count again in 2019 and the youth will stand and make sure of that”, he said.
Speaking to 247ureports, the Acting State Director of National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mr Anthony Idoko said he came to lend support to the group.
Idoko said that the most important persons in politics are the youth who are the voters. “We need to protect our votes so that our choice will count, before, during and after election.
He said NOA on its part had created many awareness programmes on the need for credible elections in the country. “We pray for peace progress and development, creditable elections promotes all these,” he said.
Patriot Josephine Daka of the Nigerian Peace Corp said they were out as tomorrow’s leaders to enlighten other youth on the way and manner they should elect their leaders as it would determine the way the government would be.
She called on Nigerian youths to get themselves ready by going out to register to get their PVCs to enable them make their own choices for a better Nigeria.
The National Stakeholder’s Group organized the walk in conjunction with The National Orientation Agency,Youth Group Leaders, Political Aspirants, Student Union Leaders and the Nigerian Peace Corp with the theme “Credible Free and Fair 2019 Elections.”
