18th May, 2011
Niger-Delta Youth Assembly, Lagos State chapter has congratulated the Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) and his Deputy Governor-Elect, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope Adefulire of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), on their victory in the just concluded governorship election.
Chairman of the Group, Mr. Malachi Ichie, in a release made available to P.M.NEWS, said Fashola’s victory actualised the yearning of the people, particularly the Niger-Delta Youth in Lagos.
“Their victory truly reflects the wish of the generality of the people in their quest to sustain focused leadership in Lagos. We thank the youth for investing in a brighter rewarding future; we also thank the youth for their steadfastness and for standing by Fashola during the election. We are proud to part of this victory.”
The youth leader said the group carried out a massive mobilization of Niger-Deltans resident in Lagos and the effort paid off with Fashola’s deserved victory.
“We voted for our choice, a candidate we have confidence in, we are very optimistic that Fashola will not fail the youth. Fashola’s victory is a victory for the youth.”
However, Ichie expressed dismay over the violence that swept through the northern part of the country and led to the death of several innocent people and destruction of property worth millions of naira. He urged Nigerian politicians, especially those instigating violence, to stop wasting innocent lives and sheathe their swords for the nation to move forward. He said the violence was uncalled for because Nigeria witnessed a credible and peaceful election by all standards; even the international observers applauded INEC for a job well done.
He also called on the Federal Government to compensate the families of the slain youth corps members and prosecute those behind the killings and their sponsors. The Niger-Delta youth leader advised the youth to refuse to be agents of violence. “Don’t allow any dubious politician to use you as a thug to shed blood, say no to violence, political killing, kidnapping, electoral fraud and other forms of criminal activity,” he added.
—Paul Sanusi