THE Enugu State Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Emeka Ononamadu, on Sunday urged youths to get registered, collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) and participate actively in the nation’s electoral process.
Ononamadu who gave the advice while speaking at a youth forum tagged: “YouthDecide2019’’ held in Enugu, said that youths should not sit at home and criticize leaders; when their impact in enshrining good governance can be achieved with their numerical strength.
The state INEC boss also advised youths to register with political parties and ensure that the right thing especially the principles of internal democracy and fairness was enshrined in their political party of choice.
“If the Nigeria youths must stand up and be counted while making a difference in our national polity; youths must stand up and unite to ensure that the right thing and right people are supported in political parties.
“You can even bring in bright ideas that will make your party of choice move forward and bring progress in the entire country electoral-wise,’’ he said.
He said that INEC would continue to hold regular interface and meetings with various stakeholders in order to prepare the electoral process for a hitch-free 2019 General Elections.
In an address, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Ebere Amaraizu, advised youths to participate actively in societal and community endeavours by ensuring that they do positive things to promote the country.
Amarizu, who is a superintendent of Police, noted that youths should use their numeric strength to influence what political parties do and how political parties are run in order to enshrine quality and positive political representation.
“The days of thuggery and other violent malpractices during elections is over. So you as a youth, you must add value to yourself for people to see your worth and believe in the ideology and passion you have and pursue.
“In other climes, youths are making a positive difference and Nigerian youths must do the same,’’ he said.
The Police image maker also said that the state police command would continue to
partner youth-based organisations to re-orientate the minds of youths
for productive ventures.
“We will also want the youths to assist the police in fighting crime through using our social media platforms and addresses to give the police confidential information about crime and criminals in the society,’’ he said.
Earlier, the convener of “YouthDecide2019”, Mr Chukwuma Okenwa, said that the essence of the forum was to sensitize youths on the enormous power they have to decide what would happen in the political space come 2019 General Elections.
“The forum seeks to bring youths of various backgrounds, learning and schools together to have a voice and platform to shape the polity of the country for the better.
“It is also meant to teach them the need to participate and follow development in their environment and not to sit at the fence or have it does not concern my attitude,’’ he said.