Your PVC is your tool to impose change – Idiege

State Correspondent 

Commissioner for Youth Development and Skills Acquisition in Cross River State, Mr Omang Idiege, has charged Nigerian youths to shun all forms of electoral violence but fight with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) on election days.

Idiege who gave the charge in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in his office on Friday in Calabar said the youths must conduct themselves as leaders indeed for the new Nigeria they advocate for.

He warned youths in the nation to refuse to be puppets in the hands of politicians who nudge them towards thuggery, snatching of ballot boxes and other electoral offences that could jeopardise their future.
As youths, your vitality and political participation should showcase politics of ethics and credibility.

“Politics in Nigeria is evolving and every youth needs to take the centre stage in ensuring that election is no longer seen as a do or die affair.

“You need to also understand that the politicians that encourage you to carry out electoral violence will never send their children because they are abroad enjoying the best lives, so, be wise, don’t waste your life.
Similarly, Mr Samuel Egbala, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Skill Acquisition, noted that the youths make up more than 40 per cent of the voting population.

Egbala encouraged them to go all out in their numbers to elect credible leaders of their choice in the 2023 election who would listen to their yearnings and aspirations.

He maintained that it was foolishness for any youth to allow his or her conscience to be bought with money, adding that the 2023 General Election was very critical for the youths.

The Permanent Secretary urged the youths not to allow anyone to use them as his or her pawns and machinery to disrupt the electoral process adding that they should vote massively and protect their votes with civility.

“A new Nigeria is possible if the youths are intentional about making it happen,
the youths should be deliberate about their demands for responsive leaders because they form the bulk of those who suffer the brunt of bad leadership.

“When the elections are over, how many of the youths will have access to those politicians who used them during elections?

“I urge the youths not to despair by happenings in previous elections but to be in the vanguard to elect credible leaders because Nigeria can still get back to times when the systems worked,” he said.

Credit: NAN