. Express readiness for 2023 general election
By NWAGBO Uju EDOKWE
The effect of indulging in social vices among the youths is a burning issue as it not only endangers the lives of the culprits but has equally put the lives of members of society at stake.
It is against this backdrop that an organized group under the auspices of Ndimgbu Youth Forum of Otolo-Nnewi, in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria, ably led by their Chairman, Com. Onyeka Mmaduekwe staged a peaceful protest around the community to decry drug addiction, robbery, thuggery, prostitution, illicit drug smoking, and vandalization, among other social ills that jeopardize the development of the community.
Com. Mmaduekwe explained the rationale behind the awareness that it is a warning sign to criminals. He warned that the Ndimgbu community has galvanized her security architecture owing to the menace of insecurity in the area, especially at the Nwanyi Ocha bus stop, where gunshots are frequently heard. It calls for concern as one of the local vigilantes was shot on one of the occasions.
Speaking further, Com. Mmaduekwe stated that Ndimgbu is strategically located as it links Okweluogu, Okofia, then Onuselogu to Awka-Etiti, Ukpor, Utuh, etc. As such, it poses some threat to clearly identifying the culprits.
On the measures to checkmate the challenges, he implored the government’s assistance in rehabilitating and empowering youths who are victims of drug addiction/ abuse.
Similarly, he seized the opportunity to express their readiness for the 2023 general election and enumerated some challenges affecting the PVCs and registration exercise; ” We have arranged on enlightening and aiding our people to Igwe’s palace and INEC office at Nnewi North Local Government Secretariat for registration, transfer of PVCs ahead of the 2023 general election”.
“We are fully prepared, and we want the best in the election. We won’t tolerate vote-buying of any kind in our Hall on the day of the election”.
“We are pleading with INEC and the government to extend the registration exercise and strategize the means to aid the vulnerable centres should be created in our door steps”. that encounter difficulties going to Igwe’s palace or INEC office. More P.V.C centres should be created in our door steps”.
Finally, he said, ” there should be readiness of service from INEC because electorates always complain about spending the whole day in registration centres without success due to nonchalant attitudes of INEC staff”.
“INEC should also give orientation about dual registration to avoid disenfranchisement. Collection of PVCs that are ready but heaped in INEC office is another issue that INEC should look into”.