http://www.newsportng.com.ng Justice, Development and Peace Caritas, (JDPC) Global Peace Foundation of Nigeria, (GPFN) in collaboration with Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria, Kaduna Archdiocese, has called on Nigerian youths to ensure they only vote for politicians with conscience in the forthcoming 2023 general election.
The Coordinator, JDPC Rev. Fr. Joshua Yima Achir, made the call during the 1-day voter’s education held in Kaduna on Friday, said youths remains the life wire of every society.
According to Rev. Achir, youths as patriotic citizens, must use their permanent voters card (PVC) judiciously and vote according to a well-informed conscience; in accordance with the highest human values without allowing themselves to be pressured or unduly influenced by anyone through bribes, threats, self-interest.
He reiterated that there is need to elect candidates who are God fearing, accountable to the electorate for the common good in respect of right of family, property, freedom of religion, security, education, health, among others, added that they are to use their votes to make sure that the right persons in their judgment are elected.
He said, “anyone who understands the purpose of government; who understands that government exists for service to the people. Anyone who understands that the system of government in Nigeria is democracy and that the mandate to govern resides with the people has my vote.
“Anybody from whatever political party, religion or tribe who understands that the security of lives and properties is the primary responsibility of government and that this indeed is the very basis of statehood, has my one powerful vote.”
“It is necessary that ALL participate, each according to his position and role, in promoting the common good. Obligation is inherent in the dignity of the human person… As far as possible, citizens should take active part in public life.”
“Being actively involved in the electoral process is a demand of patriotism, an important religious virtue of piety. Whatever situation there is, in Nigeria and Kaduna state, whether good or bad, it will remain so except the youths become actively involved in matters of governance. To turn the situation around for the common good, they must begin to play grassroots politics by being card – carrying members of political parties in order for their voices to be heard.
“Candidates who eventually become flag bearers for the various political parties are chosen during party meetings and conventions and these are presented to the public in the general elections. Non-involvement by the youth leaves them no room to influence the choice of flag bearers by political parties.
“Thank God for the ‘Not Too Young To Run’ bill signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, inside the Council Chamber of State House Presidential Villa, in the presence of selected invited youth from across the county.
“The new law is aimed at relaxing some of the stringent and discriminatory provisions of the constitution. The bill was passed by the National Assembly last year to alter Sections 65, 106, 131, 177 of the constitution. It was to reduce the age qualification for president from 40 to 30; governor from 35 to 30; senator from 35 to 30; House of Representatives membership from 30 to 25 and State House of Assembly membership from 30 to 25. What then are we youths waiting for?
“The Vademecum for Electors in Nigeria reminds us that our refusal to actively participate in the electoral process poses great danger to our ability to truly practice and carry out our mission or contribute to the common good, thus we might be forced to sacrifice our faith, our fundamental teachings and moral principles.”
In his remarks, the guest speaker, Hon. Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna state, said Nigerians have a history of crisis before, during and after election, stressed that there is need to be sincere in the quest for good governance.
Citing instances of political actors who made wave in their early days, Aruwan noted that youths must actively participate in politics, shun bitterness and embrace mentorship that would make them relevant in the political cycle so as to be able to give the larger portion of society the change they deserved.
In thesame vein, the Country’s Director, Global Peace Foundation Nigeria (GPFN) Rev. John Joseph Hayab, enjoined the youths as stakeholders in the Nigeria project not to allow themselves to be used by greedy politicians to destabilise the good intentions of government of ensuring peaceful transition to another political leaders.
Represented by the Programme Manager, GPFN, Abdul Ahmed, Hayab charged them to see the future of Nigeria as their responsibilities to ensure its future, stability and the sustenance of political culture that engages all Nigerians as a family irrespective of any differences for the common good of all.
He advised Nigerian youths not to allow themselves to be used to cause confusion for the future of the country, stressing, “the future of Nigeria squarely lies in the hands of the youths to judiciously guard it with vote so that they will safeguard their future and later enjoy the fruit of their labour of an entity that will be seen as a big family that cannot be broken by any evil force.”
