| A non-governmental organization, Lugard Youth Development and Empowerment Initiative (LYDEI), has called on the country’s political parties to organize programs that will create an enabling environment for the holding of violence-free elections in 2023.
LYDEI Executive Director, Mr. Okwutepa Aminu Oseni made the call on Tuesday during a one-day event to celebrate International Youth Day 2022 in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State. He said calling on political parties to be proactive ahead of the 2023 general elections has become imperative to curb the relentless electoral violence that has often hampered the conduct of elections in the country. “I advise political parties, youth leaders to organize programs and activities for young people in their political parties in order to stop hate speech and fake news on social networks and to promote a campaign based on problems promoting their candidate ahead of the 2023 general election,” he said. Speaking on the theme of the celebration, “Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages, Setting an Agenda for Youth and Women’s Political Participation”, the Executive Director said that the synergy of youth creativity, technological innovation in the 21st century and the experience of the older generation would enhance the peace and stability of the nation’s democratic journey if harnessed well. He charged the older generation of politicians in the country with the need to show measurable commitment to ensure that the voice of young people is heard in the governance of the country. “The importance of this gathering cannot be overemphasized because of the role that young people play in our electoral process in Nigeria. This program is designed for us to learn from the older generation, reflect, share ideas on how we can improve our political participation ahead of the 2023 general elections,” he said. |
