The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has called on African youths to take the centre stage in promoting peaceful and credible elections across the continent. He also urged them to actively engage in the electoral process with a positive mindset, shun electoral malpractices, and uphold democratic values.

Prof. Yakubu made the call on Tuesday, April 15, while delivering a lecture on “Democracy and Peaceful Elections in West Africa” to students of International Affairs and Diplomacy and those of Peace and Conflict Studies at the Civil Service University in the Republic of The Gambia, where he was a guest of the University.

Highlighting the indispensable role of young people in the electoral processes, the INEC Chairman noted that elections in Africa cannot succeed without youth participation. “Young people form the backbone of election duty staff,” he said, pointing out that Election Management Bodies (EMBs) lack the manpower to conduct elections without recruiting youths as temporary or ad hoc staff.

Beyond logistics and staffing, he emphasized that youths also make up the largest segment of the voting population. His words: “Before the elections, they are involved in voter registration, one of the most critical stages of the electoral cycle. It is a duty that must be undertaken with sincerity, patriotism, and a sense of responsibility.”

In a passionate appeal, Prof. Yakubu urged the youths to be upright and law-abiding. He said: “If you want peaceful elections, play your part for God and country. Do the right thing. Obey the laws and regulations. That’s how we make every vote count.”

He also drew attention to the role of youths as political party agents, cautioning against misrepresenting facts or feeding political stakeholders with false information which, he warned, could trigger violence and undermine public trust in the process.

Turning to the influence of digital media, Prof. Yakubu warned against the spread of fake news, particularly during election periods. “Don’t be among the fake news merchants. If it’s not verified, don’t share it. As citizen reporters, you have a duty to report elections truthfully and responsibly,” he said.

He concluded by encouraging young people not to lose faith in democracy or withdraw from civic engagement. “This is the system we have chosen. It is ours to nurture, defend, and improve. Every young African must play a role in deepening and strengthening democratic institutions.”

A grassroot social political organisation, Concerned Rivers People, CRP has carpeted the Punch Editorial of April 15, 2025, declaring that it went overboard.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by Alex Nwogu, Public Relations Officer of the Concerned Rivers People declaring that:

“Our attention has been drawn to an editorial in today’s Punch Newspaper, under normal circumstances, we could have ignored it but the narrative captured in the said editorial are misleading.

“It’s difficult to believe that the Editorial team did not do a thorough investigation that’s always associated with it before the said publication as structures of governance are set aside under Emergency Rule.

“The Sole Administrator is in place because of the State of Emergency. How is he expected to work with officials of the suspended Administration.

“Before then the Supreme Court had voided the Local Government Election that brought the sacked Council Chairmen. The question that the Editorial failed to address is; are those appointed from Akwa Ibom or Abia State?

“Or better still are they from anywhere close to Lagos or Ogun State? This the editorial adequately failed to thrash out.

“Again, from what purview is Punch trying to create an impression that there’s a hidden agenda in the whole arrangement in Rivers State?

“An Emergency Rule is simply:”an urgent, unexpected, and usually dangerous situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property, or environment and requires immediate action.

“The Sole Administrator has six months to bring about peace, reconcile aggrieved parties and ensured that residents life and property are secured.

“In what way has the Sole Administrator violated any of the rules as his first mission in Rivers State is to troubleshoot which he has been doing immediately he assumed office.

“The job of the Sole Administrator is to go to areas that there are troubles in Rivers and shoot at the trouble to bring about peace.

“The local government was one heavily troubled area and to bring about peace he appointed fresh administrators to peacefully run the affairs of the councils.

“Calling for the reinstatement of the suspended governor was the climax smirking that all is not well with the Editorial.

“Siminalayi Fubara was the purveyor and advocate of all that has transpired in Rivers State calling for his reinstatement barely two months after he was suspended creates a very wrong impression about the Editorial.

“CRP is demanding that the Punch Editorial should be reviewed and all necessary avenues should be explored to get the right information before jumping to press.

“It is not a healthy development for journalism that such an editorial should emanate from a reputable newspaper like Punch without weighing it from all angles.

The Federal Government has declared Friday, April 18 and Monday April 21 as public holidays for Good Friday and Easter Monday, respectively.

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the holidays on behalf of the Federal Government.

Tunji-Ojo extended heartfelt congratulations to Christians across the country on this joyous occasion.

erior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the holidays on behalf of the Federal Government.

Tunji-Ojo extended heartfelt congratulations to Christians across the country on this joyous occasion.