Election Campaign: NGO Warns Youths Against Violence, Character Assassination

Election Campaign: NGO Warns Youths Against Violence, Character Assassination

By Idris Olukoya

Concerned Nation Builders Initiative(CNI), a nongovernmental organisation, has warned Nigeria youths to desist from violence and also shun character assassination before, during and after forthcoming general elections/campaigns.

Mr Afeez Lawal, the Deputy Coordinator of the NGO gave the warning while addressing newsmen in Epe, on Monday.

He noted that the government would lift campaign ban on September 28th, therefore, there is a need to sensitise the youths on peaceful atmosphere during and after the 2023 general elections.

“The youths are the targets audience for the politicians to use as thugs, criminals and hooligans to disrupt campaigns and electoral exercises.

“I therefore, urge our Nigerian youths to resist being use for thuggery, criminal act and agent of destruction.

“I also implore you all to maintain decorum, peaceful atmosphere and campaign decently by avoiding character assassination and other social vices/campaigns that can cause chaos in the society, ” he said.

Lawal said that Nigerian youths should realise that they were not only leaders of tomorrow but some of them constitute the structure of today’s leadership in the country.

He added that youths owed the nation the obligation to be good ambassador in any legitimate endeavours they might find themselves, in and outside the country.

The deputy coordinator called on parents and guardians to check the conduct of their children and words, to dissuade them from indulging thuggery, especially as the country prepares for another general elections and campaigns.

“I want to urge youths to desist from any act that will jeopardise the peaceful election, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has promised Nigerians.

“They should maintain peace and decorum before, during and after the conduct of the general elections.

“The youth should resist attempt by politicians to use them as agents to achieve their selfish ambition.

“However, youths being the future of this country, deserve to be treated as persons with equal opportunities and rights to contribute to the development of our nation,“ he said.

Lawal also called on youths to unite against electoral violence, bad governance and sharp practices, adding that such practices were detrimental to the growth and development of the nation.

He called on the youths to be agents of peace in their various communities, most especially during the forthcoming general elections, to ensure free and fair election.

Lawal appealed to Nigerian youths to campaign decently, avoid character assassination and be peaceful in their conduct while on campaign ground

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