Elections: Cleric urges youths to shun violence

Tue, Sep 27, 2022
By editor
2 MIN READ

Politics

REV. Moses Akuhwa, Chairman Catholic Youth Commission, has advised youths in the country to shun all forms of violence before, during and after the 2023 general election.

Akuhwa, a Priest of the St John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mpape, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said youths should not allow themselves to be used by unscrupulous politicians to foment trouble during the elections.

Akuhwa appealed to them to allow peace to reign in the country, as election should not be a do or die affair.

The chairman also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure free and fair poll devoid of controversies, adding that ”it should improve on its performance in 2015 and 2019 general elections”.

He said that the commission had been educating the youths to shun crimes and reduce the rate of unemployment in the society.

”We have had a lot of programmes for the youths, cautioned and reminded them of what is expected of them as our country draws close to election.

“Such programmes are organised so that they become mindful of their actions, know what is expected of them in the electoral process,’’ he added.

According to him, the youths must understand that 2023 is their time to set agenda for the nation.

“If they leave the voting in the hands of the elderly, who will be there to stand for them?’’, he asked.

He therefore enjoined the youths to massively come out to vote, so as to dictate the direction the country should go.

“They have been advised during the masses, homilies and other engagements; they must understand and know that once you sell your conscience you don’t have anything to look for again.

”So they must go out and do the needful and understand that the fate of the country is in their hands.

“They must dictate for themselves how they want the country to go forward,’’ the chairman said.

Akuhwa disclosed that the commission would hold a youth conference in October in Abuja to further caution the youth against violent and divisive campaigns ahead of the elections. (NAN)

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