Democracy Day: Nigerians urged to take ownership of elections

Nigerians have urged to contribute “in bringing the desired change by ensuring they get registered, collect their permanent voter cards (PVCs), and take ownership of the 2019 electoral process through participation, education and enlightenment.” National Democracy Solidarity Group (NDSG) made the call yesterday in Abuja during its 4th Democracy Solidarity Walk held in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and other state and non-state partners on the theme: “Walk for Free, Fair and Credible 2019 Elections.” Convener/Chief Executive of the NDSG, Kletsaint Akor, noted that “Nigerians have had 19 years of unbroken democratic government, and it is a feat worth celebrating He said: “It is noteworthy that after nearly 40 years it eluded us, Nigerians have witnessed 19 years of unbroken democratic governance, the celebration of which the May 2018 edition of the National Solidarity Walk marks.
“This is a clear indication that Nigerians have come to realise that there is no better alternative to true democracy which only free, fair and credible elections can guarantee.
We salute all democracy stakeholders for this milestone.” Akor tasked youths to participate “in the upcoming elections,” adding that “it is their responsibility to ensure free, fair and credible elections.” Earlier, the NOA representative Ngozi Ekeoba, said “youths must stop lamentations and get fully involved in politics,” regretting that democracy “is not as it used to be as it has been challenged by voter empathy, electoral violence.” Ekeoba, therefore, called for an end to electoral violence, stressing the need for assurance from security agencies for the protection of lives, just as she called on politicians to be more diplomatic in playing politics.
Meanwhile, the NYCN representative Haruna Okatahi, has lamented that “Nigeria is backward,” stressing that “youths have a major role/responsibility to bring the desired change to the country by voting credible leaders.”

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