Fred Itua, Abuja
Ahead of tomorrow’s presidential and National Assembly elections, as well as the March 9th governorship, FCT Area Councils and Houses of Assembly polls, some school children have signed a peace accord in Abuja.
The school children and youths, drawn from the six geopolitical zones of the country, said the peace accord is declaration that they will resist any attempt to use them for thuggery; during the exercise.
They warned that any politician who flouts the accord and engages children and youth in carrying out election violence, will be called out and shamed. According to them, they were no longer available to be used as tools by politicians and dumped thereafter.
The exercise was organised by Guard Nigeria Image and Values Initiative, in conjunction with Nigeria Youth in Diaspora Engagement Forum, New York, in Abuja.
It was attended by political and youth leaders.
Speaking at the event, convener and executive director of the initiative, Mr. Promise Amahah, said youths have taken a “firm stand as one indivisible family to sign the first ever Nigerian Youth Peace Accord.”
He added: “We have risen up to the occasion to affirm our power and unity to guard our future and our nation. We want to change the ugly narrative that the majority is powerless and the minority powerful.
“We come together to resist any form of negative inducement, incitement and instigations against ourselves and our nation. We refuse to participate in any form of violence by any means, shape or form. We resist and reject every and any form of negative manipulation by anyone or selfish interests.
“We rise up as one today to take our collective destiny in our hands and send a clear message to the whole world that we are one and united against violence and primordial sentiments. We shall hold accountable anyone and everyone who attempts to violate our peace accord by any means necessary.”