| A non-governmental organization, Arewa Patriotic | | | | experience true democracy, they could grow and |
| Vanguard has blamed the Nigerian politicians for the | | | | assume monstrous proportions that could derail the |
| involvement of youth in electoral violence and the | | | | Nigerian democratic system.” |
| use of youths as political thugs. | | | | At the centre of electoral violence and rigging in |
| In Nigeria, the involvement of youths in various acts | | | | Nigeria are youths who are used as party thugs, |
| of violence have become a regular menace in the | | | | party workers and who are made to form wings |
| region as youths are frequently seen in the scene of | | | | used by party henchmen for political violence and |
| political, electoral and religious violence which often | | | | criminal activities for a token of money. |
| leads to the death of thousands and leaving hundreds | | | | In an interview the Guest speaker, Mr. Aliyu Bala who |
| youths injured. | | | | stressed the fact that youths’ involvement in |
| Speaking with reporters in a workshop organized by | | | | electoral violence contributes to a substantial level of |
| Arewa Patriotic Vanguard, the Chairman, Alhaji | | | | the existing culture of political violence in the country, |
| Abdulrazak Gidado said unless Nigeria finds a way to | | | | which erodes people’s confidence in the electoral |
| prevent pre, during and post election violence and | | | | system, democracy, and rule of law in Nigeria. |
| election rigging the country has not yet began the | | | | “Due to the level of involvement of youth in |
| practice of democracy. | | | | electoral violence no one has confidence in Nigeria |
| “The nature, extent of youth involvement in | | | | democracy and apart from that the youth destroys |
| electoral violence, and magnitude of violence | | | | themselves as most of them are usually wounded |
| associated with elections and rigging in Nigeria are | | | | while some are killed during the violent acts in name |
| posing threats to the national quest for stable | | | | of securing a political seat for someone they whom |
| democratic transition, as well as to the attainment of | | | | do not care about them.” |
| consolidated democracy. | | | | APV calls on the Nigerian youths to be engaged in |
| “Unless something is done to deal with these | | | | productive ventures that would prepare them for |
| problems at this early stage Nigeria is yet to | | | | future leadership and productive adult lives. |