2027: Borno youths urged to shun violence, promote peace

Some youths from Borno South have called on their peers across the state to promote peace and shun acts that could threaten the prevailing peace in Borno.

They made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Biu town on Tuesday.

The call was in view of the recent alleged  “TinubuMustGo” protest by some youths in Maiduguri.

They warned against allowing politicians to use them to destabilise the peace being enjoyed in Maiduguri and other other parts of the state.

Mr Daudu Hudu, a youth from Bayo Local Government Area said any protest that was politically-motivated would only serve the interest of those sponsoring it and not the youths.

Hudu advised youths in the state to avoid issues that could threaten peace, widen division amongst youths and worsen the security challenges already being addressed in some parts of the state.

He advised that youths who have genuine concerns should channel their agitation into voting whoever they want.

“We are brothers and sisters, we must be careful not to engage in activities that will yield no gain to youths.

“We are the leaders of tomorrow, if we destroy the state today, where are we going to exercise that leadership,” he queried.

On his part, Malam Salisu Hassan, a resident of Biu said he is of the opinion that protest would not do the work of voting.

According to Hassan, the best way to protest was to vote for whoever one believes will deliver the dividends of democracy and meet their aspirations.

“The peaceful co-existence being experienced in Borno State is not a gift but sacrifice of many stakeholders from the Federal Government, State government, security agencies, traditional and religious leaders amongst others.

“We must guard it jealously and not allow the politics of a few months to set us back in years.

“The leaders of today at all levels are doing their best and if you think their best is not enough, wait till the election and change them with your votes,” he said.4

For Hannatu Bitrus, another resident of Biu, protest of any sort should be avoided in view of the tendency of it being hijacked for cheap political gains.

Bitrus said that the state was still recovering from the impact of insurgency especially on women and children and the elderly.

“I advise youths to embrace peace as the state and country approach elections and to reject any act by unpatriotic politicians to use politics to divide youths in the state,” she said.

Hamisu Yusuf, a trader in Biu also appealed to youths to promote peace, stressing that violence would never benefit the state.

According to him, developmental initiatives can only be implemented in a peaceful society as no society in chaos can achieve any meaningful development.

Others who spoke on the condition of anonymity expressed similar sentiments while urging the people to support the state and the federal government’s efforts at ensuring peace and security of the state and country.