AYCF Speaks On The State Of The Nation & Forthcoming Primary Elections

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, has in its usual manner commented on burning issues in the polity especially the security challenges and the forthcoming Primary elections by the different political parties. 

In a statement signed by Alhaji Yerima Shettima, National President, the AYCF said, “We have been following with keen interest the state of our nation today in the context of the forthcoming primary elections, coming in less than two weeks – going by INEC’s latest official announcement, which we believe is in respect of the electoral body’s constitutional mandate”.

“We stand to be corrected, but we believe Professor Yakubu has repeatedly demonstrated a respect for justice and we are hopeful he will stick to the straight path. We urge him to sustain this tempo. After due consultation with the AYCF executives and members,  as well as other relevant stakeholders, we wish to observe as follows:-

1. Holding party primaries across many States of the Fedreration (North and South) at the moment may not be feasible because of the growing tensions everywhere

2. There is the planned nationwide students’ protests in solidarity with ASUU. 

3. And media reports suggest that the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN) has directed all the state chapters of the religious body to embark on nationwide street protests over the death of a female student accused of blasphemy in Sokoto State, culminating in the imposition of a 24-hour curfew.

4. The massive killing of non-indigene traders by unknown gunmen in the Southeast and attack of government facilities have not abated. 

5. The increasing incidence of cultists clashes that leave many innocent souls dead and politically-motivated violence have not been successfully reduced to the barest minimum yet.

6. The challenges of kidnapping, banditry and insurgency, gun-running and a flourishing illicit drug business are worsening by the day.”

 *Our Stand*
“We urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reconsider the announced date, or at best, stagger the primaries based on security and intelligence information from the various states, especially in well-known flashpoints of violence and arson.”

“We urge the security and intelligence service to guide INEC on the safest places to conduct primaries without endangering the lives of innocent voters.”

“Most importantly, life is so valuable  that we cannot afford to sacrifice it on the grounds of discharging our civic duties. Ordinarily, only people who are alive can vote and voted for.”

“We made these suggestions in the interest of safe and peaceful conduct of the primaries across Nigeria, as we hopefully prepare for successful 2023 general elections.”