Youths and women in Osun State have been advised to use their powers and numbers to decide their leader ahead of the July 16 gubernatorial election in the state, AMILOADED reports.
The call was made during a Town Hall Meeting in Osogbo, Osun State capital, on Tuesday, themed, ‘Increasing Women and Youth Participation In Politics and Electoral Processes’.
The meeting was organised by the U.S Government Exchange Alumni Association, Osun State Chapter, with the support of the U.S Consulate General, Lagos.
Speaking at the event, the panelists urged the participants, especially youths and women to rise and take their position in politics and governance.
Speaking, YPP gubernatorial candidate, Dr Ademola Bayonle, said youths and women should stop dancing behind old politicians in the country, saying, “Youths and women should get involved in the mainstream politics. Dancing behind main politicians is not enough as participation in politics, women should decide to get involved in the decision-making process.”
On his part, a member representing Obokun state constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewunmi Adeyemi, said social media is a vital tool and legitimate place yet it has not directly changed the pattern of an election, saying the youth needs to log out of social media and log in at the polling unit if they truly wants to get involved in the real politicking.
Also speaking at the event, the CEO, Rave FM, Dr. Femi Adefila, stated that power is not freely given, it must be fought for.
He said, “Those at the helms of affair today did not get there on a platter of gold, they fought rigorously for it. Our youths must be ready to get involved.”
He further urged youths and women not to lose hope and they should not share from the sentiment that vote doesn’t count, saying, “It’s a way to discourage you, votes count. With the latest upgrading by the INEC, votes now count. Come out en mass, exercise your civic duty by voting candidate of your choice. Don’t sell your vote, if you do, you will pay for it.”
Speaking to newsmen, one of the participants, Mrs Olanike Adenipekun, said government should make it mandatory for all citizens to have voters card.
She said, “I want to suggest that our government should make voters card mandatory for all the citizens the same way they mandated us to have NIN. Instead of the duplication of driver license, NIN and voters card, government can make use of voters card to be used as both driver license and NIN and this will afford all to have voters card.
“For those who are underage, government can use NIN as means of identity, as this will help government in the area of census.”
The meeting has in attendance some youth-based organisations in the state, women, NGOs, among others.
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