The Independent National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (INEC) has announced that public campaigning by political parties will officially begin today.

Ambassador Shehu Jafar Imam, the director-general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) Borno State Office, told RNI he was aware of the political turmoil in the country, saying disunity, varying and disagreeable sentiments, tribalism, corruption, crimes and political differences continued to be of great concern, especially among young people.

“Sometimes political parties use youths in their campaigns to commit acts of thuggery and violence. They do it physically or via online platforms where hate speech and disgruntled and vicious sentiments are common. This can result in corrupting the minds of people who want to vote, especially young people.”

He said it was essential that aspiring candidates sent the right message to the public and addressed issues relating to young people who made up the majority of the voters.

“They are the backbone of society.”

He said that during the campaigning, young people should pay attention to leadership and how they could pass on positive messages to society and vote wisely because they made up such a large number of the voters.

“NOA calls on the youths to abandon drug abuse and other criminal acts, such as thuggery during elections. We sit down with community leaders whenever campaigning is approaching to ensure we put government policies in line with what the community requires and we try to make them aware of the need for both sides to remain calm. We talk about any challenges and seek alternatives; we also try to stop the youth from fighting and from stopping other people from casting their votes. We do our best to make sure there is no political thuggery

“Our hope – now that campaigning will begin in earnest – is that the youth will be considerate of their religious teachings and make the right decisions for the wellbeing of society as a whole.”

He said a major challenge NOA encountered was that leaders took advantage of ambitious youths during these periods.

“Some aspirant candidates use youths to cause violence; some even give the young people drugs and conspire with them to behave as thugs. We urge young people to be aware of these unscrupulous politicians and have nothing to do with them.”

The NOA put up a special video for parents and their children, saying:

“As the 2023 elections draw near, remember evil prospers when good men and women only wish for peace but never take a step to make peaceful elections happen.

“Are you a father? Are you a mother? What are you saying to your children as elections approach? Have you warned them not to let themselves be used to cause violence? Have you explained to them what the consequences of electoral violence might do?

“Do your part to make peaceful elections happen. Talk to your children, protect them from unscrupulous politicians who want to put them in harm’s way, while their own children are comfortable at home within and outside the country. Let’s join hands to make the 2023 elections peaceful.”

AISHA SD JAMAL