Maureen Okpe
Africa Youth Growth Foundation (AYGF), has called on Nigerians to avoid violent actions and maintain peaceful co-existence during and after the Governorship and State Assembly elections.
Its Executive Director, Dr Arome Salifu made the call on Saturday in Abuja at an aerobic session with theme “Mental and Physical Fitness For Development: Say No To Post Election Violence.”
Salifu tasked young persons to shun violence and embrace peace for national development stating, aggrieved persons should seek legal redress.
He also cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to play by the rules and avoid sabotaging the nation’s democracy.
“The Foundation is using aerobics to draw the attention of Nigerians, especially the youth as when people are fit they can be productive and contribute to national development.”
“So today, we are using this aerobics to pass the message of peace to Nigerians that they should not engage in violence regardless of the outcome of the election.
“If they are aggrieved, they should seek legal redress and not take laws into their hands.
“We are also telling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to provoke Nigerians by acts of sabotage.
“Nigerians tried after the presidential election by maintaining peace and we urge them to sustain it after the governorship and state assembly elections.’’
“We still have faith in our judiciary that Nigerians will get justice so no need to be destructive.’’
AYGF’s legal adviser Ramat Haruna,disclosed that the event was aimed at creating awareness on the ongoing elections.
Haruna said, “We are telling Nigerians that a physical and mentally fit person should not engage in violence because violence only begets violence and nobody wins at the end of it.
“Nigerians need to come together to make the country a more beautiful and a prosperous nation.
’’By coming together, citizens would make the country a better place by saying no to post election violence and saying yes to peaceful co-existence.
Communications Officer AYGF Elizabeth Aduku, cautioned the youths to not allow themselves be used as willing tools to perpetuate violence.
“We are actually using this as an opportunity to send a message to youths of Nigeria that no one should use them to incite violence after this election.
“Post-election will actually undermine
the democratic processes that we all are trying to build.
“So, say no to post election violence because Nigeria is ours,’’ she said.