The Special Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Students’ Affairs, Hon Victor Olojede has urged students in Oyo State to obtain their Permanent Voters Card and actively participate in the political scene.
Olojede stated this on Wednesday while delivering his keynote address at a two-day event tagged “Governor Seyi Makinde Democracy Summit” held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.
According to him,
“As a citizen in Nigeria, you have responsibilities and you have rights.
There are many responsibilities that citizens have. E.g responsibility to engage the government, voting, protecting the security of your environment, cleanliness, knowing what is going on in your country, obeying and upholding the law, etc”
“There are many rights that citizens also have. Right to life, right to fair hearing, freedom of expression, right to association, right to vote and be voted for, right to dignity of persons, etc
“The only thing that cuts across both as a right and a responsibility is voting. It is the primary way of participation in governance and citizens should not take it for granted at all.
“For us as stakeholders representing the interest of students with the Oyo state government and representing the interest of the government with the students, we are encouraging all students in Oyo state to obtain their PVCs and register to vote. I also encourage all students to register to join political parties and take interest in Governance.
“Political parties are the gateway to government. Citizens, including students must participate, join the parties and make contributions there. The INEC website shows that there are 18 political parties in Nigeria but records show that there are about 91 political parties in Nigeria. We should know them all. We must read, observe and ask questions to know the ideologies of each of the parties and then choose the one which aligns the most with our personal ideals and beliefs. It is the only way to sustain a democracy. ”
“The INEC website provides a lot of information that can guide your involvement in political parties. There is a Political Party handbook, Code of Conduct for Political Parties, Political Party finance Manual and a template for Political Party audit report. Young people should access these resources and be very knowledgeable about political parties and how they work.
There are also newsletters, manuals, press releases and even legal documents that we can read to familiarize ourselves with voting as a right and how to exercise it or otherwise.”
“Citizens must never view politics as “them against us”. If you as a citizen have something to offer but you refuse to participate, then you are simply empowering people who have something contrary to offer (which could either be positive or harmful). We must take responsibility for our country. We must own it and love it. If we love it, then we will care for it. If we care for it, then we will give our best towards it.
Citizens must nurture a collaborative mindset that pushes citizens to contribute, to participate and to see the victory of the state as their personal victory. Only when this is done, can we have a true and lasting democracy. And only when we have this, can we enjoy the benefits which we desire from a democracy.
God bless our dear Oyo state and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria” Olojede concluded.
