The Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Leyii Kwanee, has urged youths of Nyokhana-Ogoni in Khana Local Government Area of the state, to resist being used by desperate politicians to achieve their ambition in 2015.
Kwanee made the call on Monday in his goodwill message at the inauguration of the Nyokhana Youth Council, held at the palace of the Menebua Baa at Taabaa town.
He stated that it was necessary to caution them because some of the youths could be willing tools in the hands of wicked politicians without conscience.
The lawmaker stated that the opposition party in the state was desperate to win at all cost, without considering the interest of the state and its people.
He advised the youths to reject being recruited as thugs or private army if approached.
Kwanee warned against returning the state to the era of militancy and cultism, when law and order completely broke down and human life was of no value.
He said the state government frowned at security breaches and urged them to work with Governor Chibuike Amaechi to ensure that the state did not go back to anarchy.
According to him, this could be done by organising responsible vigilance service that would ensure security and maintenance of law and order in the community.
Also, he urged the youths to respect their elders and be submissive to them as it had been the order of the society.
“One of the problems youths have in many communities is that they are unable to be controlled. The elders are unable to control them. Their actions are determined at the spur of the moment. This is dangerous because the actions are not premeditated. They do not tap from the wisdom of elders. In such situations they are bound to make costly mistakes,” he said.
Kwanee also advised parents to ensure that their children are well brought up and disciplined, adding that rascality, desiring quick wealth and penchant for crime, were the characteristics the politicians looked for in youths to use them for election violence.
He explained that if children were properly brought up, the politicians would have nobody to use.
“It is disturbing to know that many cases of election violence are perpetrated by youths. Youths are expected to play a role in our democracy. They are expected to ensure that elections are not rigged and ballot boxes and votes are protected”, he said.
He charged the leadership of the new youth body to be accountable, just and transparent as well as abhor high handedness in the running of the affairs of the council.
