The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State on Friday organised interactive and sensitisation programmes for students ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The Commission led its team to the Federal College of Education, Technical, Akoka, Lagos State, to sensitise students of the institutions on the forthcoming general elections.
In her address, Mrs Ijeoma Okey-Igbokwe, the INEC’s Head of Department, Voter Education, Publicity, Gender and Civil Society in the state, urged students to shun vote-selling and violence.
READ ALSO: Pope wants ‘new page in history’ on first trip to Arabian Peninsula
Okey-Igbokwe urged the students to take part in deepening democracy by getting actively involved in the forthcoming elections.
She advised that the students should not leave the elections for old people.
“I encourage you to come out and vote for the candidates of your choice. I want you to steer clear of vote-buying and selling as well as electoral violence.
“You young people know what you need for your generation that is why it is important that all of you take part in democracy positively.
“It is very unfortunate that young people have themselves to be used as tools for violence with politicians giving you just N5,000.
“It pains me when somebody feels that your worth in life is N5,000. These politicians that buy you for N5,000, have their children abroad,’’ Okey-Igbokwe said.
According to her, the politicians’ children will come back five or 10 years after to rule over those who have sold their future and that of their children.
She said that none should get maimed or killed during the elections as a result of electoral violence.
In his remarks, Mr Femi Akinbiyi, the INEC’s Public Relations Officer, told the students to be of good conduct and vote for candidates that would secure their future peacefully.
Akinbiyi urged the students to spread the awareness against electoral violence, vote-buying and vote-selling to their friends and family members.
“The futures of these youths are bright. You should not be used as scaffolders for bad politicians to rise. Be of good conduct”, he advised.
Akinbiyi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that another team of the commission had moved to markets for the same sensitisation, saying that peaceful conduct during the polls was non-negotiable.
NAN reports that the Presidential and National Assembly elections were slated for February 16, while the Governorship and State Assembly elections were fixed for March 2. (NAN)