By Philomina Attah
Religious leaders have urged Nigerian youths to reject electoral violence and embrace peace ahead of the 2027 general elections.
They made the call in Abuja at a National Youth Assembly for Democratic Resilience organised by the Global Peace Foundation Nigeria.
The assembly, themed “Empowering Youth Voices Against Electoral Violence,” brought together Christian and Muslim youth leaders from across the country.
The keynote speaker, Rev. Fr. Canice Enyiaka, Director, Africa Peace Initiative and Engagement, Global Peace Foundation Headquarters, USA, said Nigerian youths were not expendable.
Enyiaka said every Nigerian youth had inherent worth and dignity, describing these as gifts from God.
He said the Nigerian Constitution recognised human dignity, a value also upheld by Christian, Islamic and African traditions, including Ubuntu.
He urged youths not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of violence during elections.
According to him, research shows that about 2,444 Nigerians died in electoral violence between 1999 and 2023.
He noted that young people were mostly affected, stressing the need to protect their lives during democratic processes.
Enyiaka urged youths to use their hands to build Nigeria, their voices to speak the truth and their votes to choose leaders.
He also urged them to transform their concerns into democratic power through peaceful participation and community building.
The cleric advised youths to use social media to promote unity, truth and solutions rather than hate.
In his address, Sheikh Nuru Lemu, a prominent Nigerian Islamic scholar, spoke on youth, democracy and non-violent elections.
Lemu said Nigerian youths constituted a significant proportion of the population and remained critical drivers of development.
He urged youths to understand their civic responsibilities and the importance of voting wisely to promote peace and security.
He said election campaigns should be guided by ideas that promoted peace, development and good governance.
Lemu noted that the Electoral Act discouraged divisive campaigns based on religion, ethnicity and sectionalism.
He called for functional citizenship, urging youths to understand their rights and responsibilities in the electoral process.
The Country Director, Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, Rev. Joseph Hayab, said the assembly was organised to sensitise and mobilise youths for peace.
Hayab said elections should be civic exercises in which citizens vote peacefully and winners emerge through majority votes.
He said peaceful elections promoted accountability and ensured effective service delivery after the polls.
He urged youths to support their preferred candidates peacefully and allow peace to reign before, during and after the elections.
Goodwill messages were delivered by Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar of the National Association of Muslim Youth Organisations and Ven. Ademola Arowolo, President of the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN).
They pledged to take the peace messages to communities, campuses and places of worship across the country.
They expressed optimism that the 2027 general elections would be peaceful, credible and violence-free, with the commitment of youths.(NAN)
Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi
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