The Country Director, Global Peace Foundation Nigeria (GPFN) Rev. Joseph Hayab has urged youths in Kaduna state to resist attempts by any politician who may want to used them to cause problems during the Local Government elections in the state, slated for September 4.
Speaking on Thursday in Kafanchan, at the “Southern Kaduna Youth dialogue for a violence free Local Government Elections,” Hayab said the time had come for the youths to be vanguards of change, “by seeking to grow instead of engaging in the old order of stagnation.”
The one day programme was organised by the GPFN in collaboration with the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Jema’a Local Government chapter.
Hayab who is also the chairman of the Kaduna state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), urged the electorates to vote according to their conscience and cautioned against selling their votes to politicians.
He noted that the youths are the major actors during elections and urged them to shun any form of violence.
“You must recognise the fact that you are first human beings and members of one family under God, irrespective your political affiliation, religion or beliefs”, Hayab said.
He urged the Youth Council, to continue to create platforms for the youth to interact with each other, stressing that, “this will build trust and understanding between the followers of different faiths.”
Speaking earlier, the Coordinator of the Youth Council of Nigeria, Jema’a LGA, Mr. Solomon Samuel, urged the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission to ensure that the correct election results are announced, noting that “problems normally emanates when the wishes of the people is trampled upon.”
He called on youths in the area to conduct themselves peacefully during the elections, stressing that “election is not a do or die affair.”
Also in a goodwill message, the Caretaker Chairman, Jema’a Local Government, Mr. Ibrahim Danladi, commended the Youth Council for partnering with the GPFN to put up the programme which he described as timely and pledged to provide a peaceful atmosphere for the conduct of the elections in the area.
Danladi also solicited maximum support and cooperation of the people of the area for a peaceful election.
