The Caritas Nigeria has urged the federal government and security agencies to be proactive in encouraging Nigerians to jettison voter apathy due to fear of insecurity and participate in this year’s general elections.
The chief executive officer of Caritas Nigeria, The Rev Fr. Uchechukwu Obodoechina, gave the advice yesterday in Abuja at a national pre-election dialogue and public presentation of two books titled: ‘Anti-Hate Speech and Fake News Guide’ and ‘Charter of Demand Document’ by Caritas Nigeria.
The Caritas Nigeria (Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria) is a faith-based non-governmental organisation and an agency of the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).
Obodoechina also urged citizens to take their destinies in their hands and actively participate in the forthcoming elections despite the daunting challenges, including the fear of insecurity.
On measures to address hate speech and fake news, Obodoechina urged Nigerians, especially leaders of political parties to focus on values that promote nationhood.
In the two documents unveiled, Obodoechina said they were products of research by the organisation aimed at promoting successful conduct of the 2023 general elections.
On her part, the country director, ActionAid Nigeria (AAN), Ene Obi, urged parents to guard their children and the youth from being used for negative tendencies in the coming elections.