By Charles Ayodele
Stakeholders have enjoined youths to avoid acts capable of undermining the democratic process especially the forthcoming Ekiti 2026 gubernatorial election.
This was the main thrust of contributors at a one-day sensitization workshop organized by the National Orientation Agency, NOA, in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. It focused on the theme: “Pathway To National Cohesion, Development and Unity”.
The Ekiti State Director of the Agency, Mrs Kemi Akomolede, speaking on the topic”, Youth Restiveness and Election Related Matters”, said the major targets of the gathering were politicians and children that foment troubles during electioneering. She appealed to them to imbibe peace so that Ekiti land will not be politically heated up before, during and after the election.
Particularly on the youths, the NOA boss enjoined parents not to allow their children and wards to be used as cannon fodders by desperate politicians. She advised the youths to engage themselves in one vocation or skills so that they will not be tempted to participate in any electoral malpractices and other social vices.
To her, poverty has always been responsible for youths restiveness and violence during electioneering due to idleness but being involved in any meaningful livelihood will head off negative thoughts. She remarked that the Agency is sensitizing according to the peculiarities of each state across Nigeria.
It was the consensus of the stakeholders that parents should not overlook the negative lifestyles of their children which come into play whenever elections are holding in the country. They lamented that those who use the youths to cause electoral mayhem do not have their own children and wards around to use for the odd jobs.
The event was attended by the media, security agencies, drivers’ unions, okada riders, artisans, market women and men, political parties’ representatives, students, government functionaries among others.
