Religious leaders across Lagos have charged youth against perpetuating any form of violence as they plan to participate in the forthcoming general elections.
The religious leaders gave the charge while speaking at the Vote Not Fight Inter-Faith forum on Non-Violent elections convened by SIID Africa Initiatives and The New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiatives (NIGAWD).
In his welcome remarks, Olamilekan Lawal, the Executive Director of SIID Africa Initiatives noted that the Vote Not Fight campaign is aimed at sensitizing youths to exercise their franchise peacefully, and not be used as tools to disrupt the election.
Lawal who decried the rate at which politicians insight violence among their supporters, appealed to youths to constructively participate in the electoral process.
“The Vote Not Fight campaign aims to secure candidates’ and youth leaders’ commitments and compliance to nonviolent campaigning and peaceful conduct of the election,” he added.
The interfaith forum which gathered together Christian, Muslim and religious leaders, featured conversations about how religious leaders should use their platforms to promote violence-free political campaigns and elections.
Present at the forum were Rev, Josephat Ihitegbulem (JP) representing the Christian Association of Nigeria, Lagos; Alhaji Mohammed Mas’ud, General Secretary Council of Imams and Ulamahs; MrLukman Kolawole Erinfolami, Olori Apena, Association of Ogboni Aborigin Nigeria & worldwide.
Others are; Alhaja Zaynab Dawuda, representing the federation of Muslim Women’s Association of Nigeria, Mrs. Elizabeth Bassey representing the Women Wing of CAN; and Mr. Sulaimon Animashahun, from Ansarudeen Youth Association of Nigeria.