Governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Gombe, Khamisu Mailantarki, has advised youths to shun violence before, during and after the 2023 elections.

Speaking on Saturday in Gombe, Mr Mailantarki said youths needed to be reminded that election was a political process and not war.

The governorship hopeful said it was imperative for youths in the state to realise that election was better practised in a brotherly manner and without bitterness or violence.

He stressed that youths had a lot to gain when they engage in peaceful politics and elect their candidates without resorting to violence.

“I believe in peace because it remains the bedrock of development and growth, especially in a democracy.

“It is in this regard that I again call on youths in Gombe State to realise that there is life after election. We must practise politics without hatred, bitterness or violence.

“In spite of our religious, tribal and ethnic differences, Gombe is home to all of us; and we have a duty to live peacefully and play politics like the brothers that we are,” he said.

The former federal lawmaker also cautioned youths to resist the temptation of being used to cause chaos and electoral malpractices.

Mr Mailantarki also called on political parties and their candidates not to use youths as tools for acts that would create violence in the build-up to the elections.

He added that political stakeholders had a duty to play decent politics that promotes peace and conduct issues-based campaigns, as against “toxic and violent politics”.

He stated that his interest over time had been on youths and women because they remained the most vulnerable and the biggest victims of bad governance.

“In my sports academy, I have taken a lot of youths to European clubs to further their careers. I believe in helping talented lads to achieve their dreams.

“In Nigeria, we have the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ahmed Musas and others in our population, but the opportunity to differentiate and select them remained a challenge,” he said.

Mr Mailantarki said that if elected, he would create more platforms to harness the talents of the youths so as to contribute to the development of the society.

(NAN)