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Electoral Violence: Advocacy groups synergise on sensitisation, target motor parks, youth gatherings

Electoral Violence: Advocacy groups synergise on sensitisation, target motor parks, youth gatherings

 

Centre for Peace Advocacy and Sustainable Development (CEPASD) and Global Peace Foundation (GPFN) have engaged in partnership to sensitise Kaduna youths against electoral violence.
The groups are targeting motor parks and youth gatherings for the exercise.

 

The resolution was reached on Wednesday during a Webber meeting tagged, “Youth Voices Against Electoral Violence”.

 

Rev. Joseph Hayab, Kaduna State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in a welcome address, said GFP and CEPASD would work together, especially youths for proper sensitisation to have a peaceful electoral process.

 

“Part of our activities would target motor parks and places where youths can be reached to sensitise them, to have free, fair and credible general election in 2023.

 

Mrs Christie George, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Raising Hope For the Women and Child (RHWC), in a paper, stressed that the youth were not adequately acquainted with balanced information.

 

George who was represented by Rev. Joseph Hayab, noted that the lack of adequate knowledge, especially among youths on the credibility of election, was due to wrong assumptions, poor information dissemination, influence of government over information agencies.

 

“I urge for the need for all institutions and stakeholders concerned to work together to properly sensitise the populace,” he said.

 

Sheikh Haliru Maraya, the Northern Coordinator of GPF Nigeria who spoke on the topic, “Youth Voices Against Electoral Violence,” stated that electoral violence was caused by illiteracy, ethnicity and
unemployment.

 

“We can only eradicate this by education, employment, fight against impunity, establishment of court for electoral offences,” Maraya added.

 

Also in a paper delivered by Mr Moses Abolade, a Peace building Strategist and Content Creator, s he spoke on the role of youths in curbing electoral violence.

 

He reminded youths to know that their votes were their power and rights as such, they should get involved through observation in collaboration with INEC.

 

“Our youths should have a sound judgement in selecting leaders, be objective in their decisions and be innovative,” Abolade added.

 

The meeting featured questions and answers by participants that bothered on the need to push Peace Education Bill, curb fake news, eradicate manipulation of results, electronic voting and the need for the media to strengthen sensitisation on peace building.

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