By Mercy Omoike
The Junior Chamber International (JCI) Eko, alongside other stakeholders, has warned against electoral violence in the upcoming 2019 polls.
With the elections barely a month away, they made the call in interviews on Saturday in Lagos.
The president, JCI Eko, Mr Gafar Odubote, said it was necessary to shun electoral violence at all levels, urging young Nigerians to engage wisely in the exercise.
“Young people have the power to be able to impact their communities positively by participating in the 2019 elections and also inspire them to vote appropriately for peace.
“The elections are close and as young people, we should engage and influence all the election players to commit to peace.
“Electoral violence is one of the greatest obstacles to peace in Nigeria and JCI Eko is uniting various sectors of the society to achieve peaceful elections in the country.
“Our aim at JCI Eko is to ignite joint efforts from all sectors of the society via advocacy and stakeholders’ engagement to sensitise Nigerians at all levels to participate at the polls peacefully,” Odubote said.
Odubote stressed the need for unity and love in Nigeria towards achieving peaceful elections.
“I urge everyone to stand for what’s right and be responsible citizens; we must unite to act for a peaceful society by ensuring peaceful coexistence and developing a positive attitude to governance.
“To achieve peaceful elections in Nigeria and also aligning with SDG 16 – to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development — will require everyone’s support across the society,” he said.
On his part, the Chief of Bariga/Shomolu, Oba Gbolahan Badru, stated that all hands must be on deck in order to achieve inclusive and peaceful elections in the country.
“The government, political parties, as well as all Nigerians must understand and respect the rule of law. We must ensure transparency and accountability at the polls.
“We must not sell our votes during the election and Nigerians must not allow themselves be used as instruments of violence both during and after the polls,” he said. (NAN)
