Politics
2023: Former Community Chief Urges Anambra Youths To Secure Future, Collect PVC
Former President General, Nkwelle-Ezunaka Community, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, Chief Chris Eluomunoh, has called on youths to secure their future through equipping themselves with their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).
Eluomunoh, also a member of the Igbo Apex Social-Cultural orgainsation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said this in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Awka.
He said that in 2019, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had a total of 84,004,084 registered voters, while only 28,614,190 turned out to vote, which made way for President Muhammadu Buhari to win with 15,191,847 votes.
The community chief said that Nigeria is a political establishment that has grown to a level to engage its youths in the political map of the country, and to also allow them measure up with their peer groups to garner enough inspiration to lead the country.
He said that more than 48 million Nigerian youths of voting age are yet to have a voter’s card, and “these future leaders should be encouraged to go and obtain their PVCs if the country desires a political growth”.
Eluomunoh said that Nigeria needed a political movement that would astronomically turn the political story of Nigeria around to enthrone a youthful leadership which would promote Nigeria’s economic and social development.
“It is time for youths to wake up and take political leadership positions with their voters cards to make a much better place than what it currently offers the citizens.
“We need to enjoy safety of lives and properties, educational prowess, social and economic emancipation, all these would be achieved with the voters card,” he said.
He said that government changes would be achieved through the power of votes, and advised the youths to get their PVCs in order to vote for transformational leadership.
According to Eluomunoh, youths need to come together to have a formidable structure that would not consider ethnic, religious and political afflictions or barriers, but to build up on the structures that would bind all together.
“The days of political domains playing with the future of Nigerian youths are numbered if the youths take their civic duties right, get their cards and come out to vote to secure their future.
‘It is time for the youths to shift from their abode in the social media to real life, especially now that their votes can count and provide for themselves needed opportunity to create a progressive world around them,” he said.
The community chief urged the youths not only to get their PVCs, but to ensure active participation during the general elections.
Eluomunoh reminded the people that INEC had promised to register every Nigerian willing to vote, which implied that a new Nigeria was possible.
“Nigerians, 2023 elections give us time to walk our talk, give life to your prayers and produce the president, governor, senators House members of our dream. We now have the power in our votes,” he said.
Mr Rhodes-Vivour expressed concern over the development, saying a dangerous precedent was being set.
He said: “What we witnessed at the House of Assembly represents a troubling pattern where might is increasingly valued over right. This forceful seizure of the legislative chambers undermines the very foundations of our democracy and sends a disturbing message about how power is wielded in our state.”
Mr Rhodes-Vivour criticised the ruling party in Lagos, accusing it of systematically promoting thuggery and violence over ideas.
He argued that such actions have eroded public trust in governance and weakened democratic values that should preserve the rule of law.
He said: “For too long, Lagos politics has been defined by intimidation rather than inspiration, by coercion rather than conviction. The ruling party has consistently demonstrated a willingness to use force to have its way notwithstanding the popular will of the people.”
Mr Rhodes-Vivour urged Lagosians to take the current crisis as a wake-up call ahead of future elections, saying voters should prioritise candidates who demonstrate character, competence and compassion regardless of party affiliation.
“The quality of our democracy depends entirely on the quality of individuals we elect to represent us. Lagosians deserve leaders who view public office as a sacred trust rather than a platform for personal aggrandizement”, he said.
In a statement, signed by its spokesman, Mr Chika Adiele, the group warned that the judiciary would be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order in Rivers State.
They expressed shock over the verdict, warning that it could disrupt the peace and development efforts of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The statement read in part: “The attention of the pan-Niger Delta Youths Empowerment Forum, under the leadership of Comrade Maobu Nangi Obu, has been drawn to the shocking verdict of the Supreme Court of Nigeria ordering seizure of Rivers State’s allocation. This is nothing short of economic sabotage against Rivers people.
“The apex Niger Delta youths body is dismayed by the infantile antics of anti-democratic forces whose stock in trade is brewing crisis in a bid to topple the people’s Governor. We firmly condemn this judgement as it is against the tenet of the constitution of Nigeria.
“It is an invitation to war and against equity, justice, and fair play. We equally condemn the order nullifying the local government election as reckless and vindictive.
“Unfortunately, the justices of the Supreme Court positioned themselves as a party to the suit rather than impartial arbiters of justice.”
They urged Nigerians to note that the principle of democracy is rooted in sound constitutional pronouncements with a view to establishing justice. “Therefore, any attempt by the enemies of Rivers people to seize power by judicial fiat will be resisted by the Niger Delta youths.
“We cannot be cowed, neither shall we lay in surrender at the altar of political manipulations of rascals. We reiterate boldly, once again, that anyone, no matter how highly placed, will face fierce resistance by the majority of Rivers people,” they said.
Former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi, has appealed to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, to withdraw her suit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Speaking during a live television interview on Saturday, Senator Olujimi said she does not want women to “look emotionally unstable”.
On February 20, Senator Akpabio, the senate president, and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan engaged in a heated debate during plenary over a change in seating arrangements.
On February 25, the senate referred Akpoti-Uduaghan to the committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary review.
However, the Kogi senator filed a N100 billion defamation suit against Senator Akpabio over an alleged defamatory statement reportedly made by the senate president’s legislative aide.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan later alleged that her trouble in the senate began after she rejected sexual advances from Senator Akpabio.
Reacting to the development, Senator Olujimi said a senator cannot speak outside the assigned seat according to the senate rule.
The former lawmaker said the request of the Kogi senator that her senate probe proceedings should be broadcast live was a “little overboard.”
She added that the clash between the senate president and Akpoti-Uduaghan should not have been escalated, noting that the change in seating arrangements is a normal phenomenon in the red chamber.
The former senate minority leader expressed support for the probe of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “weighty” allegations against Senator Akpabio.
She said Senator Akpabio is someone who jokes a lot, adding that the senate president usually made fun of everything.
“I want to say that in the 8th and 9th senate, we never had anything like that (referring to the allegations), and Senator Akpabio was one of us.
“They treated us (female senators) with decorum. We did not have anything like that, and I have not heard anything of such from any other of the remaining senators.
“It is tough for me to be able to take that without proper investigation. There should be an investigation.
“He (Akpabio) jokes a lot. He is fond of making little fun out of everything. He loves to make everything light; when you do that, you become very vulnerable.
“I saw all that they (referring to male senators) went through as men when I was there. They were all victimised by people from outside. I had to rescue them all of the time.
“The court case, I want to appeal to her to take the case out of court. We don’t want women to look like they are emotionally unstable.
“We need to also be strong enough to face the men. Going to court against a presiding officer is not on. I know she is hurt, but she needs to handle it in a better way. I think that should get out of court as fast as possible”, Senator Olujimi said.