A Housemate in the just concluded Big Brother Naija “Double Wahala’’ 2018, Antoniette Lecky, has advised Nigeria youths not to allow themselves to be used for electoral violence in 2019 general elections.
Lecky in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja urged youths to rather be involved in processes that would lead to the success of the elections.
She said: “The youths have to know that engaging in electoral violence does not make anything better but worse.
“After doing that you complain that the country is not moving forward; you are adding to the problem. You have to do something better to make Nigeria better palace.’’
Lecky advised politicians engaging youths in electoral violence to stop encouraging youths going into such devilish act.
She said: “It is not just enough to blame the youth; we do actually need to blame people who are using them.’’
She also advised Nigerians, especially the youths yet to register for or collect their Permanent Voter Cards to do that soonest.
She said though people were facing challenges in trying to register or collect their PVCs, they should not be discouraged in getting their cards.
Lecky said: “The PVC is basically the key to changing Nigeria. If you don’t have PVC you cannot vote. You need your PVC to vote and voting is what changes the tide of Nigeria. You must collect you PVC, please.’’
She expressed her commitment to continue to encourage youths to participate in the electoral process.
She said: “Youth are the future. Our parents will no longer be in Nigeria at a point. We will be the one taking over the country. So we have to start now to let the country know what we want.’’
Lecky also advised women to break out of their shells and be more involved in politics, saying women and the youths are key to changing Nigeria.
She said: “All over the world there is a gender bias most times, we have to be sincere to ourselves.
“Most times when it comes to government and positions you see men as the leaders but I totally disagree. In household women are the leaders, so why can’t we be the leader of the country?
“I think it is time for women to break out of our shells and to let the world know that we are here to also lead. People also need to understand that women also do have the skills.’’
Lecky also advised youths to get necessary skills that would earn them a living rather than going round to look for office jobs as getting job everywhere including outside Nigeria is getting tough.
She said: “It is difficult to get job anywhere. I have lived outside Nigeria and it is tough, but you have to find your passion.
“Going to seek for office job may not be for everyone. You may have to find a skill within yourself and sell yourself.’’
Lecky said though she did not win the grand prize at the BB Nija, “being someone who has been to the Big Brother House makes you a winner”.
She said: “There are thousands of people who wanted to be on that show but it was just me and 19 other people so it is definitely a blessing.
“I just hope we can use that platform to encourage Nigerians, young and old, that Nigeria is great place to be, but we all have to come together to make it that great place.’’
