SPEECH BY AHMED ADAMU, CHAIRPERSON, COMMONWEALTH YOUTH COUNCIL, AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCHING OF THE YOUTH CAMPAIGN AGAINST ELECTION VIOLENCE

SPEECH BY AHMED ADAMU, CHAIRPERSON, COMMONWEALTH YOUTH COUNCIL, AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCHING OF THE YOUTH CAMPAIGN AGAINST ELECTION VIOLENCE

It is a historical and defining moment of the current youth generation for initiating a campaign that will put an end to Election Violence. The Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) being the largest and most diverse youth-led organization in the world is leading the campaign tagged “Youth Campaign Against Election Violence” in some selected Commonwealth countries. With the establishment of CYC, the entire population of the Commonwealth youth is now united and coordinated. The CYC was established by the young people in the commonwealth and endorsed by the Commonwealth Heads of governments, and it is established to play an integral role of advancing youth development agenda and the co-ordination of activities and policies of the Commonwealth in the field of youth. The council works for and represents the voice of all young people within the commonwealth. It is the official and recognized voice of more than 1.2 billion young people in the commonwealth. Commonwealth Youth Council provides a framework for youth-led development initiatives, and coordinates, harmonizes and unites all youth organizations within the commonwealth countries. We are honored to be the first-ever set of people to lead this great organization. We are determined to set a legacy to be remembered till the end of time.

The Commonwealth Youth Council notes that there is a recurrent loss of lives of young people in some Commonwealth countries during democratic elections and most times leads to loss of lives and properties, and subsequently causing political and economic instability.

The Y-CAEV pilot campaign is being launched today in Nigeria considering the imminent general elections in the country, and subsequently,it will be launched in other Commonwealth countries. According to Human Right Watch, election violence have cost many lives of young people in some Commonwealth nations. For instance in Nigeria, the violence ensued after the 2003 general elections had left at least 100 young people dead and many others injured. European Union observers also reported that at least 300 young people were killed in violence linked to the 2007 elections. Human right watch also reported that election violence has been on the rise in Nigeria with high level of causalities, lost of lives and properties in the last general elections in 2011, which almost resulted to a religious and ethnic crisis. The crisis cost lives of some innocent youth service corps members. The crisis mostly affected the northern states especially Kaduna, Bauchi, Kano and have left more than 800 young people dead, and relief officials estimate that more than 65, 000 people were displaced.The Y-CAEV campaign is targeted toward achieving zero electoral violence, zero loss of lives and zero loss of properties.

OBJECTIVE OF Y-CAEV

Y-CAEVaim at the following:

1.         To achieve zero level of election violence, zero cost of lives and properties.

2.         To enlighten young people on the danger of the election violence.

3.         To educate young people on the electoral procedures and election complain processes.

4.         To train and inculcate the discipline of peace, tolerance and obedience.

5.         To coach young people on proper method and best practice of election inspection.

6.         To enlighten all election stakeholders e.g. electoral officers, security, political party agents, journalist, observers, etc on the need for harmony and good working relation during elections.

7.         To identify the best practice of achieving peaceful elections.

The Nigerian youth are setting another record for leading a global peace model that will save millions of lives of young people globally. The campaign is aimed to be stepped down to the six geo-political zones, state and local levels. The purpose of this meeting is to educate young people on the best practice to establish peace and social cohesion during electioneering processes, and to develop a model that will ensure effective implementation of the campaign at grassroots level. Youth are determined to stop any sort of violence, and with Y-CAEV project we will achieve free, fair, and peaceful elections in all the 53 Commonwealth nations.

Youth engage in violence because they feel neglected and unsupported by the leaders. Poverty is another cause for youth violence, and it is sometimes artificially instilled. Politicians also motivate youth to engage in violence for their self-interests. Ignorance of the democratic rights and procedures is another cause for youth violence. The Y-CAEV is therefore aimed to engaging all relevant stakeholders in curtailing the roots of election violence.

Y-CAEV METHODS

Y-CAEV will use the following method to achieve its objectives:

1.                  NATIONAL CONFERENCE: This conference will serve as the inauguration ceremony of the campaign, Youth leaders will be invited from every state, and all national election stakeholders e.g. INEC, Security personnel, religious groups, political parties, election observes, journalist etc will also be invited. The one day workshop/conference is aim to discuss issues, causes and solution to election violence. It will give room for identifying a uniform promotion campaign for peaceful elections and best conduct for young people in the elections.

2.                  STEP DOWN CAMPAIGN: Youth leaders that attended the National conference will serve as the Election Peace Marshals in their respective states. They will be trained and inducted at their geo-political zones immediately after the National conference, and they are expected to organize similar awareness conference/workshop and training in their states. The Y-CAEV State Marshalls will appoint Election for Peace Marshals at their respective states. All Y-CAEV Marshals will be provided with identities and kits. Similar structure shall be established at all local governments.

3.                  MEDIA CAMPAIGN: Y-CAEV will make use of radio, television, and print media to spread awareness for peace and against election violence. This will be through campaign jingles, drama, etc.

4.                  PEACEFUL RALLY: Y-CAEV will make use street rallies in support of peaceful elections, drawing the attention of young people on the need to embrace peace before and after elections. This will give opportunity to share campaign hand bills. Stage dances, music and comedy will be performed to attract people’s attention to peaceful elections. Y-CEV Marshalls and foot soldiers will perform peace parade, and fall in line throughout the rally.

5.                  MUSICS AND MOVIES FOR PEACEFUL ELECTIONS

6.                  VISIT TO UNIVERSITIES: Y-CAEV will visit all secondary and tertiary institutions to spread awareness and install secondary schools and university peace Marshalls.

The Y-CAEV youth task force in Nigeria will have the opportunity to travel round the Commonwealth nations to share their experiences and train other youth on the YCAEV peace models and best practices. I am confident of the youth resolve to addressing the menace of election violence.