By Samuel Agwa
Nigerian youths have been charged to key into schedules of activities towards the forthcoming 2023 general elections by ensuring sensitization amongst themselves especially on PVC collection and need to vote credible candidates across the political parties.Â
They are also advised to ensure that, unwholesome acts that will undermine the elections are not condoned or perpetuated by them. Convener Youth Advocacy for Peace and Social Justices (YAPASJU) Centre for Sustainable Development, Emmanuel Yatai stated this during the Centre’s stakeholders meeting in Abuja on 5th December, 2022 which had representatives of the Centre, and other youth groups from 29 states in Nigeria.
Hon. Yatai, who noted how critical 2023 general elections mean for Nigeria, lend strong support and commended the activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for sustaining the tempo of activities and significant level of transparency exhibited so far. He tasked the umpire body to work more closely with the civil society organizations and community gate keepers to ensure that tendencies for unwholesome acts during the polls are curbed.
On the security situation in the country, Hon Yatai observed that the Nigerian government should play its role in protecting life and property of its citizens noting the fact that, the past few months, we have experience some bit of improvement as incidences of attacks, kidnapping and banditry acts have reduced but with the resent incidences of banditry and kidnapping in places like Kastina, Kaduna is a sign of rising insecurity in the country. Yatai cautioned that, ’the tempo needs to be stepped up so that before the elections there will be greater confidence amongst Nigerians to freely participate in the elections’.
Other highlights of the stakeholders parley included preparations towards a national dialogue holding in January 2023 which will centre as an Agenda setter for leaders in 2023, and the activation of greater coverage to all the 36 states of Nigeria. YAPASJU Centre was established in 2021 with a mission to organize, mobilize, educate, and awaken the Nigerian society towards sustainable development.
