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Politics

Group condemns alleged killing of two youths, calls for violence free elections 

South-east organizing secretary, National Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Mr Izunna Agwuncha

Group condemns alleged killing of two youths, calls for violence free elections

Elections

Owerri, Feb. 11, 2019 (NAN) The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), has expressed dismay over the alleged killing of two youths during a campaign rally at Ejemekwuru community in Oguta Local Government Area (LGA).

Mr Izunna Agwuncha, South East Organising Secretary of the council, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Owerri, on Monday.

Agwuncha, who frowned at the development which occurred on Saturday, also seized the opportunity to state that the NYCN condemned all forms of violence in the buildup to the 2019 elections.

He called on all stakeholders in the electioneering process, especially monitoring teams and international observers to resist manipulative measures by politicians who were desperate for power.

Agwuncha, who is also the Imo chairman, Organisation for Drug Abuse and Violence Free Society, described youths as the most vulnerable group in the society.

He opined that Nigerian youths had suffered exclusion from the nation’s politics.

He further called on youths to steer clear of all forms of electoral malpractice, as according to him, ‘the outcome of the 2019 elections will shape the future of today’s youths’.

In his words, “we condemn all forms of electoral violence in the forthcoming elections. We call on election observers to say no to any effort to manipulate this year’s elections.

“As vulnerable as the youths are, they have suffered from the political stage and this anomaly has to be corrected.

 

“We, therefore, implore the youths to eschew all manner of electoral malpractice including thuggery, snatching of ballot boxes and vote buying.

“Let us see the 2019 elections as a litmus test, the result of which is capable of shaping our collective destinies as tomorrow’s leaders of this great country,” he said. (NAN)

VIN/OOA/MNA

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Edited by Olabisi Akinbode/Maureen Atuonwu

 

 

General news

PVC: Imo electorate applaud extension of deadline for collection

PVC

Owerri, Feb. 8, 2019 (NAN) Cross section of electorate in Imo have described the extension of  deadline for collection of permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a `welcome development’.

The residents bared their minds while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Owerri on Friday.

Most of the registered voters who were yet to collect their PVCs thanked INEC for the move, describing it as `considerate’.

Mr Obinna Okenze, Campaign Coordinator of the Action Alliance (AA) Governorship candidate, Mr Uche Nwosu commended INEC for the decision and called on all registered voters who were yet to collect their PVCs to take advantage of the extension of the deadline.

This, he said, would enable them exercise their civic right of voting for candidates of their choice.

“The extension of deadline by INEC is a welcome development. I commend the INEC for this move.

“At the same time I call on all those who are yet to do so to go to their different Local Government (LG) offices and claim their PVCs so as to be able to exercise their franchise on Election Days,” he said.

Another voter, Mrs Barbara Chikerendu, a teacher who was spotted in one of the long queues said that although she had come more than twice for her PVC, she still thanked INEC for displaying patriotism when it mattered most.

“It is very patriotic of INEC to have extended the deadline. I hope I will get mine today because it is the third time I am coming for it,” she said.

Mr Cyril Christopher enjoined all voters to collect their PVCs before the new deadline in order to avoid what he described as `self denial of their fundamental right,’ he said.

NAN reports that the electoral body on Friday extended the deadline for collection of PVCs to Feb. 11 based on public demand. (NAN)

VIN /NNO/MNA

Edited by Nick Nicholas/Maureen Atuonwu

 

 

Politics

2019 Elections: NGO canvasses support for women aspirants

 

Women
By Lydia Ngwakwe
Lagos, June 4, 2018 (NAN) A woman activist, Mrs Betty Abah, on Monday advised women to support and believe in women who have shown interest to contest in the 2019 elections.

Abah, the Executive Director, Centre for Children’s Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEEHOPE), Lagos, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

“As a woman, I am not happy with the leadership in Nigeria, especially in the policies so far made.

“My disappointment also extends to the National Assembly for refusing to pass gender-friendly laws that ought to have allowed women to contribute their optimal quotas to national development.

“It is on this ground that I urge every woman to come out on election day and vote for credible women interested in politics.

“ There are many women in Nigeria who are gifted with intellectual capacity and leadership skills to deliver good governance.

“If a woman wins, the country’s democracy will be stronger, because women constitute the largest percentage of Nigeria’s population,’’ Abah said.

On why women would make better candidates, she said: “Women are virtuous and straight.

“They are natural organisers and nurturers; they also have foresight and as such will make better leaders.

“At home and even in various companies, women have proven to be great in performing lead roles financially and otherwise.’’

According to Abah, if women are given opportunity to lead, their leadership roles will improve the quality of women’s lives.

She, therefore, appealed to women to come out of their comfort zones and contribute toward the nation building.

“Men are doing so much on their own, but there is need for balance at all levels of government.

“Women’s representation in leadership positions in Nigeria is low when compared to other developing countries.

“The time has come for women to be involved in politics and make their voices heard,’’ she said.

Abah urged women to collect their PVCs to participate in the forthcoming elections.

“PVC is the only tool that can give one opportunity to have a say in the nation’s development and create opportunity to develop gender balance in politics, governance and decision making. (NAN)
LED/VIV/GOK
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Edited by Vivian Ihechu/Olagoke Olatoye