2023: INEC, others warn youths against political violence

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Youth and Media Network Organization (YOMEN), in conjunction with the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) have urged the Nigerian youths and women including the peoples with disabilities to steer clear of violence as it would only lead to anarchy and disunity.

Speaking at the presentation/vision sharing of a veritable voter education and mobilization project title “READY TO VOTE” in Abuja, the chairman Board of trustees, Youth And Media Network Organization (YOMEN) Ambassador Emenike Nwachuku-Eme, said that the essence of the workshop was to expose the youths to the imperative of voter education, especially on voting procedure, when to vote, why to vote and where to vote.

He said, “The exercise was to create awareness and engage youths with disabilities and others for voters’ education across the country.

“The continued exclusion of women, youth and PWDs in politics challenges Nigeria’s claim to a democratic status of accommodation of diversity and amounts to denial of citizenship rights.’’

He explained that the collaboration would also help to increase the participation of People With Disabilities (PWDs) in the political space, inclusion of avenues that would be enabling us to engage massively in political positions in both Federal, state, and local government. 

Meanwhile, DG Youth And Media Network Organization (YOMEN) Mr Chidibere Solomo, noted that the Nigerians only paid attention to territorially based diversities which are ethnoregional differences; even then poorly managed.

Also speaking, the Director General, Youth and Media Network Organization (YOMEN) Mr Chidibere Solomo, saying that the mechanisms are, therefore, required to address the challenge of youths/ women’s under-representation and reach a gender balance in political institutions, especially political parties,” he said.

He appealed for inclusion of voter education in Nigeria’s education curriculum while calling on “INEC, in line with its electoral policies, prioritizes the participation of disadvantaged groups, including the youth in the electoral process. 

Representatives of National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Mrs Dorathy Iyan appealed to fully participate in the elections starting from Councilor positions, state house of Assembly to contribute their quarter in national building.