Youths can promote peaceful election

As the countdown to the February 14, and 28, 2015 elections in Nigeria begins, it is time to call on the Nigerian youth to make them violence-free. This is a golden opportunity for them to participate freely and support a free and credible election. Their involvement to be vigilant and promote peace-building activities before, during and after the elections is crucial to having violent-free elections.

So much fear has been expressed regarding the elections’ impending violence and the possible disintegration of Nigeria. Some early warnings have already been recorded in Port Harcourt and Jos and these incidents call for the Nigerian youth to maintain law and order during the election period.

The youth must not allow history to repeat itself. The 2007 and 2011 elections witnessed loss of lives and destruction of property. Statistics show that more 800 Nigerians including 11 youth corps members were killed in 2011. As Nigeria’s greatest asset, the youth are well-placed to mainstream peace in the electoral process because of their energy and enthusiasm. All the political campaigns are being targeted at them because of their ability to mobilise and deliver. Ages between 15 and 35 constitute 38 per cent of the total population of Nigeria. They form the fulcrum of the society and thereby often vulnerable to unemployment, lack of education, crime, terrorism and other social vices. Hence, they should break the habit of complaining about how events go around them. The way the elections are conducted will shape their future. Therefore, their role in these elections is necessary for a peaceful, democratic, united and progressive Nigeria.

There are countless ways they can accomplish this feat. One of such is to be at peace with one another. This is because they cannot help to build peace in the community without being at peace with themselves. By now, they should have collected their Permanent Voter Cards; if they haven’t, they should go and collect them now as there’s still time. It empowers one to exercise one’s civic responsibility by voting.

The second is to start to talk and connect with like-minded and inspiring peers to foster peace and renounce violence. They should engage one another in conversations and discussions in such ways that can promote peace.           Make commitment that you will not involve in illegitimate actions such as bribery, intimidation, thuggery, obstruction of political process, rigging, incitement, rumour propaganda and reprisals.

Thirdly, mobile telephones, the Internet and social media provide veritable platforms for preaching peace and to create awareness of the need to conduct and mobilise yourselves for positive actions during the elections. You can communicate messages of peace effectively and efficiently on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, Short Message Services, radio, television, etc. These media have strong youth following and telephone hotlines. Use the media to educate, inform and mobilise young people about why, when and how they can be involved in the elections. The artistic among you can write messages of peace on free walls, sides of buses and stadiums. These are efforts to discourage violence.

Fourthly, as the elections are approaching, the youth can organise themselves into groups at the community level. Come together as vanguards of peace and embark on some peace-building initiatives such as talking about your willingness to have crisis-free elections in rallies, town-hall meetings, viewing centres, sport arenas, motor parks and other places, by specifically emphasising PEACE. Young adherents of religious organisations can also join in this effort in their activities including prayer sessions. This step does not necessarily need money to accomplish. Creativity and willingness to speak out is what that matters.

During the elections, you should use your numbers and form yourselves into vigilance and monitoring groups. Your lawful conduct at this time is very important as any sign of violence or rascality would negate your goal. By this, you should monitor your community of potential areas and colleagues where violence could occur. Your mobile phones can also be used here to communicate with one another and security agents. You can also use it to monitor the voting process in real time. Remember you would cast your individual vote during this time.

After the elections, the most crucial time to be very active in your watch, the youth must make sure violence does not erupt. As you keep watch from the time votes are counted to the time results are announced, you can interact with police and civil society organisations that are working in your communities. You must respect the electoral and security authorities. Do not take laws into your hand but report any sign or act of violence to the security agents who are not far away from you.

In all, you must demonstrate you are committed to the ideals of democracy by shunning violence and other acts capable of derailing the political process or tarnish Nigeria’s image. Do not be violent no matter the level of provocation. Elections can only be deemed free, fair and credible if conducted in a peaceful environment, free of violent conflict and fear of intimidation. It is your future and so vote and support your future peacefully. Peacefully, election is the collective responsibility of all. Your duty is not only the peace in this election, but to build lasting peace in Nigeria.