Ekohotblog reports that Innocent Idibia, widely known as ‘2baba,’ Nigeria’s famed pop musician, has encouraged youths in Anambra to be peacemakers and avoid violence during the state’s governorship election on November 6.
Idibia made the appeal at the current “Vote Not to Fight” campaign organized by the Catch Them Young Community Initiative (CATYCOI) in partnership with the 2Face Idibia Foundation on Thursday in Awka.
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) are both supporting the campaign (USAID).
He said: “We are here to dialogue with Anambra youths and campaign for peace, especially, as we prepare for the election.
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“Our youths are critical stakeholders; this is why politicians use them to cause violence. I want to tell you that violence has no gain but destroys lives and property.
“As youths, we need to promote peace, because without peace; the election cannot be free, fair and credible, and development too, cannot take place.
“Let us be aware that election is not war but a time for us to participate by voting wisely for the candidate that can help secure our future,” he said.
Idibia encouraged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security services to carry out their jobs impartially.
He also asked voters to work with security authorities to achieve a peaceful election on November 6.
Mr Ben Aga, Programme Director, NDI, also spoke, stating that the institute would always support programs and initiatives that would ensure the efficacy of the country’s democratic process.
Aga said that the NDI recognised the youth as assets and future of the country as well as key stakeholders in achieving a peaceful election in the state.
Contributing, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Eworo Echeng, said the force was committed to ensuring the safety and security of residents before, during and after the election.
Echeng, represented by ACP Emma Ogbuanya, said that they were collaborating with other security agencies, CSOs, community and traditional leaders in the area of intelligence gathering.
While appealing to the youth to embrace peace, he also urged the electorate to come out and vote on election dates without fear of attacks or harassment.
In his remarks, Mr Nonso Orakwe, the Executive Director, CATYCOI, said that the role of youths in election-related violence had been particularly dynamic, as they had been perpetrators and victims at the same time.
“Due to eroding societal values and poverty, youths are easy recruits for attacks and violence during elections. With this campaign, we want to change the narratives and become ambassadors of peace in our nation,” Orakwe said. (NAN)
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