By oluwatope Lawanson
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have charged youths to participate actively in the forthcoming general elections beyond the use of social media.
The CSOs made the call during a peace walk with the theme:”9jaVotes2023 campaign,” in Lagos.
The CSOs are the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria (MWFAAN) and YALI Network.
Mr Mosope Coker, the Programme Manager of YALI, said the walk was aimed at raising awareness among citizens about the importance of peaceful and credible elections.
Coker said that a new Nigeria could only be achieved through massive voting in the upcoming elections.
He urged eligible voters to turn out in large numbers to vote for any candidate of their choice.
Also speaking, the President of MWFAAN, Mrs Olorunfunmi Adebajo-Olafimihan, stated that the YALI9jaVotes Campaign was first launched in 2019 by the United States Consulate to promote youth engagement in politics.
Adebajo-Olafimihan said that the Mandela Washington Fellowship saw a need to continue the project in 2023 to ensure full participation of the youth in the electoral processes.
She noted that the role of Nigerian youths in ensuring a free, fair and violence free election would continue to be a critical determinant of election outcomes.
“The association has supported 10 state chapters of the YALI Network to carry out non-partisan community sensitisation projects.
“This was aimed at boosting voter turnout, promoting voting integrity and inspiring communities to reject violence during the coming elections,” she said.
On her part, Rabiat Omotoyosi, Public Relations officer, YALI Network, urged the electorate to guard their Permanent Voter Cards and to cast an informed vote.
She also called on the electorate not to sell their votes for money and to work together in peace during the elections to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during the peace walk, participants carried placards and banners with messages promoting peace, stability and credible elections.
NAN also reports that the walk which was organised by the MWFAAN and YALI Network served as a reminder of the importance of peaceful and credible elections and the role citizens play in shaping the future of Nigeria.
