Cleric Advises Youth To Shun Violence At Polls

A Christian cleric, Bishop Augustine Numene John-Miller has called on youth in Rivers State to refrain from being used by self-seeking politicians to cause violence in the 2019 general elections.
John-Miller, made the call during an exclusive chat with The Tide shortly after two groups, Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), USA, Chicago Chapter and Council of Ogoni Professionals (COP), USA donated over two thousand books to a public library in Bori, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State at the weekend.
John-Miller, who is a Trustee, MOSOP USA said violent behaviour does not pay, pointing out that as leaders of tomorrow, the youths should embrace education and come to the realisation that there are opportunities before them, expressing sadness that Ogoni land has become one of the flashpoints of violence during elections in recent times.
According to him, “My advice to the youths is that they should know that such violent behaviour is not worth it. Because they are supposed to enlighten our people.
“As leaders of tomorrow, they should go to school, study and know there opportunities are in front as future leaders.
“I am appealing to our youths who are being used by some politicians not to yield themselves to situations that will destroy the fabric of our people, the communities and the state. We want elections to be peaceful,” he stated.
John-Miller stressed that the choice of the people should prevail, instead of key actors employing threats and intimidation to crisis, saying that is not democracy.
“Let everything go smoothly and let there be peace in ogoni land and Rivers State.
“Our leaders should show good examples by preaching peace so that the forth-coming elections and the subsequent ones will also be devoid of violence because there will always be elections.
“There is no need approaching elections with a do or die attitude,” he said, adding that whoever wins should thank God and see it as an opportunity to serve the people, anyone who loses should look forward that another opportunity will come for him to probably emerge victorious, he said”.

Dennis Naku