Elder statesman, Dr. Maitama Sule on Thursday expressed optimism that a violence-free general election in Nigeria is possible, noting that youth involvement will play a pivotal role in achieving such.
Deadly election-related and communal violence which occurred in northern Nigeria following the April 2011 presidential election left more than 800 people dead. The victims were killed in three days of rioting in 12 northern states.
Dr. Sule, who made the appeal at a lecture in Abuja on Thursday, said engaging the youths as thugs undermines the essence of democracy, advising the youths to shun thuggery in the forthcoming 2015 general elections.
He also appealed to youths to avoid activities that would incite violence, but should rather channel their energies into profitable ventures.
Although series of elections have come and gone, the effects of violence that emanated from them, leading to loss of lives and destruction of properties, linger on.
However, with barely three months to the 2015 general elections, Nigerians have begun lending their voices to the call for a free, fair and credible elections.
