DA candidate pledges to give youths 90% political offices

Musician 2face Idibia preaches against violence

Candidate of the Democratic Alternative (DA), Ayodele David-Adesua, has promised to give 90 per cent of political offices to youths, if he wins the election.He made the promise yesterday at the party’s secretariat at Assumpta area of Ado-Ekiti.

David-Adesua said his administration would invest in agriculture, minerals resources and tourism to create wealth and jobs for the people.He disclosed that the priorities of his party are economic, social and political empowerment, to give the younger generation access to governance.

The DA candidate also promised to make micro-credit facilities available to the grow grassroots’ economy, so that they would be less-dependent on government for their source of income.He said: “Our youths should embrace the DA as their own platform, because it is a conducive podium that is committed to youth participation in politics, as well as pure democratic and godly political succor.”He criticised Governor Ayodele Fayose’s decision to give what he described as “phantom jobs” to 2,000 new workers few weeks to the election.

“Why should people be forced to queue up in the sun for a directionless employment form at the local government secretariat in this 21st century?“What’s is wrong if these forms could be accessed through the internet to save the overwhelming unemployed youths the time, stress, money and risk of life?” he asked.

Meanwhile, a popular musician, Innocent Idibia, alias 2face, has implored Ekiti youths not to allow politicians to use them as thugs to unleash violence.Idibia urged the youths to contribute meaningfully to the democratic process by voting for candidates of their choice, and serving as advocates for peace in their localities.He spoke at a youth advocacy for peaceful election in Ado-Ekiti tagged: “Vote, Not Fight, Election No Be War.”

The event was organised at the weekend by a civil society organisation, the New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative (NIGAWD).It was in partnership with the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).Others partners were the United Kingdom Agency for International Development (UKAID), the 2Baba Foundation, and Youngsters Foundation.

The musician, who addressed Ekiti youths from the 16 local council areas, said election violence was capable of truncating their potential to be useful citizens to the fatherland.“Due to electoral violence, many youths have lost their lives. We must work together to prevent needless loss of lives before, during and after elections,” he said.NIGAWD Executive Director, Abimbola Aladejare, charged the youths to take the message to their various communities.