The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has urged youths in Badagry and its environs to shun electoral violence in the coming local government election scheduled for July 24, 2021.
Mr David Aladeotan, the Coordinator, NYCN Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) gave the advice at “A Day Campaign Against Electoral Violence and Political Apathy in Badagry’’.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the event was: “Youths Ensuring a Conducive Electoral Atmosphere and Effective Political Participation”.
According to him, youths must see themselves as a future of tomorrow and if we fail to realise this, we are putting our future in danger.
“We are gathering here today to identify those things that cause crisis during election and profound possible solutions.
“Some of the reasons include, party differences, rivalry between contestants, rivalry between political parties and deliberate intention to disrupt electoral process by hoodlums.
“Although our forefathers have tried their best, we must strive harder to make the future better for the generation behind us,” Aladeotan said.
He commended the council chairman of Badagry West LCDA for ensuring that there was unity among the youth with his assistance.
The coordinator said that suggested solutions arrived at the engagement would be used at each polling unit during election to ensure peace and tranquility.
He noted that suggested solutions shall be galvanised and applied by the youth leaders at each polling units during election to ensure peace and tranquility.
Also speaking, Mr Idris Ajala, the NYCN Organising Secretary, Lagos State, who represented the State Chairman, Mr Sulaiman Oba, advised youths to work hard while they were young.
“Don’t let us be part of the hoodlums that will disrupt process in your local government.
“We should not be used to sell our future with token from politician,” Ajala said
He said the council was standing firm behind the administration of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Mr Basit Senapon, former President, Lagos State University Students Union, said that full political participation was an antidote to electoral violence and party apathy.
Senapon urged the youth to cast their votes for Mr Joseph Gbenu of All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday.
Mr Zosu Solomon, the Senior Special Adviser on Information and Tourism to Badagry West LCDA, said the chairman had reached out to many youths in the council.
“We don’t have fear supporting the chairman for a second term
“Until we begin to see ourselves as one, we may not achieve faster. As youths, we need to respect and project ourselves.
“I want us to go out on Saturday and vote the candidate of Gbenu to show our love and support for him so that he can continue the good work,” he said.
