Alhaji Yohana Yusuf, the District Head of Gusape in Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT, has called on youths in the area to shun violence during the general elections.
Yusuf, who made this call in Gwagwalada on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also urged youths to avoid buying and selling of votes.
He stated that the call to shun violence became imperative due to the important role youths play in elections and the socio-economic development of the country.
“I preach against electoral violence, hate speech and snatching of ballot boxes during elections.
“No nation will experience development in an atmosphere of violence, because peace is a necessary requirement for the development of any nation.
“The youth should shun violence and any divisive tendencies in the name of religious and political affiliation, but to vote leaders of proven integrity as leaders,” he said.
He added that the electorate, especially youths, should consider the 2019 general elections as a means of enhancing the nation’s democracy and socio-economic development.
“I call on the electorate to choose candidates by using certain parameters such as credibility, integrity and political ideology.
“I also call on all eligible voters to promote violence-free elections and come out en masse on election days and vote for credible leaders,’’ he said.
Yusuf advised the electorate and the contestants to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship and prioritise the interest of the country during and after the elections.
The district head also called on youths not to allow themselves to be used by desperate politicians to foment trouble or perpetrate electoral malpractices during the elections. (NAN)