The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) has called on citizens of Nigeria to exercise their civic duty by coming out to vote peacefully during the upcoming 2023 general elections.
The call was made on Saturday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on the sideline of a 3- day workshop on character education for head teachers and teachers of pilot schools.
Prof. Joseph Golwa, Former Director General, Institutes of Peace and Conflict Resolution and a Member of UPF said that citizens’ civic duty is to vote as our right and not sit at home.
“As a patriotic citizen of every civil society, we are not to shun performing our civic duties in terms of voting and voting right.
“Unfortunately many decide to sell their votes for little stipends not knowing that they’ve sold their future and that of their children.
“So we need to put an end to that and start going out to vote during elections and vote rightly not under force or coercion.
“We can change society by our attitude and advocating what is right from wrong if we don’t vote and expect the country to be better then we are part of the problem.
“So we must become the solution by going forward to vote in the upcoming 2023 general elections,” Golwa said.
Rev. George M. Ogurie Sub-Regional Director, Universal Peace Federation, West Africa
also charged the youths to come out and vote as patriotic citizens and not be apathetic.
“Don’t stay behind saying that the election doesn’t concern you because it really concerns you.
“Everyone that has their voter card should endeavor to exercise their civic duty by voting.
“Also when voting ensures that it’s done peacefully and orderly,
“Don’t be influenced negatively when voting, it is your right to choose who you want to vote for,” he said.
“If we love our nation and want to lead well, we must be ready to sacrifice our personal interest and desire for the nation’s sake,” Ogurie said.
In her remarks, Dr. Bilkisu Adedoyin, Lecturer University of Abuja, added that it is essential to protect our country at every stage by voting right.
“I want to urge us to pray and also come out to vote that’s how we can protect Nigeria,
“We should all choose the best leader for our country not sentimentally but based on credibility,” she said. (NAN)