United Nations has shown concern over low number of women and youths being fielded by political parties for elective positions during the nation’s coming general elections.
Speaking at the opening of the Joint UN- National Peace Committee (NPC) support to Kwara State towards the organization of peaceful 2019 elections in Ilorin on Tuesday, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, said that number of women and youths fielded was far lower than expected of Nigeria with a large number of women voters.
“Meanwhile, I have also observed the numbers of women and youth candidates fielded by political parties is far lower than expected of Nigeria with a large number of women voters and enthusiastic youths eager and willing to take part in nation building as responsible leaders. All hands should be on deck to improve. This can and should be improved upon this in the future elections,” he said.
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Chambas, who said that the UN is happy to support the NPC to sensitize and promote confidence building amongst stakeholders involved in the electoral process in Nigeria, added that:
“This event is one in a series, of events at state level, jointly organized by the NPC and the UN and other partners. The goal is to mobilize stakeholders towards commit to peaceful elections, build on existing initiatives, take measures to strengthen mutual confidence among stakeholders and political actors, and proactively and peacefully resolve any election-related disputes with utmost regard to the rule of law and due process.”
He urged stakeholders in accordance with their pledges under the peace accord, to avoid hate messages and the politics of acrimony, bitterness, and rancor that is capable of undermining peaceful conduct of elections, social and national cohesion. Hoping that all of them will work together to ensure that Kwara upholds its status as the state of Harmony by making sure harmony reigns throughout this elections period.
Also speaking, Kwara State governor, Alhaji Abdulfattah Ahmed, represented by the Secretary to the state government, Alhaji Sola Gold, noted that the last lap of the electioneering is being undertaken adding that the situation of insecurity and violence is growing worse with the electorates at the receiving end.
“This should not the case, if sincerely we are determined to represent. It is against this backdrop and urgent need to reverse the ugly trend that one can appreciate the intervention of the UN and NPC.”
“On our part, we have been pursing the peace agenda with renewed zeal, vigour and commitment. The enormous security architecture put in place by the Kwara State eloquently attest to this,” the Governor said.
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