News
INEC chair, Yakubu calls on African youths to promote peaceful elections
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mahmood-Yakubu.jpg&description=INEC chair, Yakubu calls on African youths to promote peaceful elections', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mahmood-Yakubu.jpg&description=INEC chair, Yakubu calls on African youths to promote peaceful elections', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
By Francesca Hangeior
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has urged African youths to play an active role in ensuring peaceful and credible elections across the continent.
Yakubu made this call on Tuesday during a lecture at the Civil Service University in The Gambia, according to a statement by the commission on Wednesday.
He addressed students of International Affairs and Diplomacy, as well as Peace and Conflict Studies, on the topic, “Democracy and Peaceful Elections in West Africa.”
He emphasised the need for young people to engage in electoral processes with integrity and a strong commitment to democratic values.
According to the INEC Chairman, youth participation is vital for successful elections in Africa.
He highlighted their importance as the primary manpower for Election Management Bodies, noting that many are engaged as temporary or ad hoc staff during elections.
“Young people form the backbone of election duty staff,” he said, stressing that their involvement in tasks such as voter registration is crucial to the electoral cycle.
Yakubu also warned against electoral malpractice and urged youths to act with responsibility and patriotism.
“If you want peaceful elections, play your part for God and country. Do the right thing. Obey the laws and regulations. That’s how we make every vote count,” he said.
He further cautioned young political party agents against spreading misinformation that could incite violence or erode public trust in the electoral process.
Yakubu underscored the importance of accurate and truthful reporting during elections, particularly in the digital age, and warned against the dangers of fake news.
“Don’t be among the fake news merchants. If it’s not verified, don’t share it,” he advised.
In concluding his address, Yakubu encouraged African youths to remain actively engaged in the democratic process and not to lose faith in its potential. He described democracy as a system that must be nurtured and protected by all, particularly the younger generation.
Following the lecture, Yakubu was honoured and presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by the Deputy Director General of the Civil Service University, Banjul, The Gambia, Mrs Fatou Barry.
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE, OPEP, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF, have arrested a suspected kidnapper linked to the abduction of a resident in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
This was contained in a statement posted on X by the Nigerian Army.
The post identified the suspect as Buba Ali, 30, adding that he was arrested at about 12:45 pm on Sunday, August 9, at Binawa village in Kauru Local Government Area.
According to post, the suspect was arrested during a joint operation conducted by troops of Sector 7 OPEP and members of the CJTF.
It said the suspect was reportedly linked to the kidnapping of Alhaji Tasi, who was abducted in the village.
“Following his arrest, Ali was taken into custody and is currently being interrogated by security personnel.
“The ongoing investigation is focused on obtaining information that could lead to the identification and arrest of other members of the suspected kidnapping gang,” the Army said.
Nigerian ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has rejected claims by an Islamic scholar, Sheikh Yahaya Jingir, that Nigeria is a Muslim country.
In a viral video, Sheikh Jingir, who was preaching to Muslims at an event, said “if you don’t want to accept a Muslim-Muslim ticket, you should leave Nigeria because it belongs to us”.
The comment has continued to generate backlash online as Christians rejected the claim.
Reacting, Fani-kayode in a statement posted on his official X handle on Sunday night, said the cleric’s remark is unhelpful and untrue.
“Worse of all is the fact that it is highly provocative,” the former aviation minister said.
“Kindly take note that it is a very slippery and dangerous slope to take and is best avoided. Nigeria is NOT a Muslim country and neither is she a Christian country.
“She is a SECULAR and MULTI-RELIGIOUS state comprising BOTH Christians and Muslims in equal numbers and that is our strength,” FFK added.
He further stated that President Bola Tinubu’s Muslim/Muslim ticket for 2027 is gaining acceptance “only because of the calibre, ability, sincerity of purpose, character, utility and electoral strength of our Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and their ability to deliver and not because they are Muslims”.
“One day we may have a Christian/Christian ticket too because with God all things are possible,” he added.
The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the release of the state Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Moyowa Adejoorin, who was arrested in connection with a shooting incident at an All Progressives Congress, APC, rally in Ilesa.
The incident occurred on Saturday and reportedly left four people injured, including a teenager identified as Tobi Ilesanmi.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said Adejoorin was taken into custody after police officers arrived at the scene, secured the area and began collecting evidence.
According to Ojelabi, the commissioner’s vehicle was stopped at the location, where an Amotekun operative allegedly linked to the shooting was also found.
“Immediately the incident was reported, our personnel moved to the scene and cordoned off the area before some exhibits were recovered, which included expended cartridges and Amotekun personnel caps.
“Also, Mr Adejoorin was arrested at the scene and taken to the command for questioning as part of the investigation process,” Ojelabi said.
The development came amid heightened attention to the incident after a video circulated on social media on Sunday showing Adejoorin leaving the police command.
Confirming the development, Ojelabi told Vanguard that the commissioner had been released on bail but said he was still awaiting clarification on the status of the Amotekun operative who was arrested alongside him.
“It is true that the commissioner has been released on bail today, but I am yet to clear the situation with the Amotekun personnel arrested with him,” he said.
Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shooting are ongoing.
BBNaija: Martins becomes first housemate to be evicted
Flood wreaks havoc in Minna communities, destroys properties worth N100m
Army arrests suspected kidnapper linked to Kaduna abduction
-
News8 hours agoWe’re aware of your coded meetings with Lulu-Briggs, 𝐏𝐢𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐬𝐨𝐧, CRP uncovers ex-MD of NDDC, Nunieh
-
News3 hours agoConfusion as Shekau’s son surfaces in Boko Haram ranks
-
Foreign7 hours agoIran demands war damages compensation for reopening Strait of Hormuz
-
News8 hours agoPolice neutralize suspected gang leader over murder of Imo monarch, recover arms
-
News8 hours agoZamfara PDP guber candidate, Gusau celebrates Umar Bature on his birthday, says he’s a visionary team player, bridge builder
-
News7 hours ago16 rescued, several feared trapped as residential building collapses in Kano
-
News2 hours agoTroops waste kidnapper, rescue kidnapped farmer
-
Sports7 hours agoWAFCON 2026: Super Falcons suffer shock defeat as Cameroon gets automatic ticket for World Cup
Warning: Undefined variable $user_ID in /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/themes/zox-news/comments.php on line 49
You must be logged in to post a comment Login