NDASSO DG urges youths to uphold rule of law, embrace issue-based politics
NDASSO DG urges youths to uphold rule of law, embrace issue-based politics
By Mohammed Baba Busu
The Director-General of the Ndarani SAN Senatorial Organisation (NDASSO), Engr. Muhammadu Dagaci, has urged youths to uphold the rule of law, embrace issue-based politics and shun violence, hatred and political bitterness.
Dagaci made the call when he received members of the Youth Group for Ndarani, who paid him a courtesy visit at his residence in Minna.
He commended the youths for their initiative and commitment to democratic values, urging them to become more conscious of their responsibilities as citizens and political participants.
The DG said political participation should be guided by due process, civility and respect for democratic institutions, rather than sentiments, personal attacks and the politics of bitterness.
He encouraged the youths to interrogate the ideas, capacity and track records of political candidates, rather than allowing themselves to be driven by hatred, malice or abuse.
Dagaci expressed concern over what he described as the assault on rules and procedures in the country’s political process, warning that continued disregard for democratic norms could undermine peace and stability.
“Representative democracy is about the rule of law. Each time the rules are broken, the citizens get cheated or shortchanged.
“That is what breeds anger, civil disobedience and ultimately, anarchy. We must not get there,” he said.
He urged political leaders, elected representatives and other political actors to respect established rules and procedures, stressing that the essence of politics was to serve the people and promote development.
“The real essence of politics and government is not power for its own sake. It is the development and well-being of the people.
“If we lose sight of that, then we have lost everything,” he said.
Dagaci specifically charged the youths to see themselves not merely as voters or political supporters, but as important stakeholders and custodians of the democratic process.
He urged them to become well-informed, demand debates and manifestos from candidates, and reject the use of money, violence and hate speech as instruments of political mobilisation.
“The future you inherit will be shaped by the politics you tolerate today. Reject hate. Reject violence. Embrace discipline,” he said.
The DG also advised political operators to recognise that political power was a trust entrusted to them by the people and should therefore be exercised responsibly.
“Politics is not war. It is service. If we subvert rules to win, we lose legitimacy even in victory.
“Let us compete fiercely, but within the law. Let us disagree without being disagreeable,” he said.
He further called on political leaders to lead by example by respecting institutions, electoral outcomes and the electorate.
According to him, democracy thrives when leaders are accountable and respect the will of the people, adding that Niger South and Nigeria could not afford another cycle of impunity.
Earlier, the youth group commended Dagaci for his sense of public duty, commitment to development and democracy, as well as his efforts toward promoting a political culture capable of producing credible representatives through transparent and credible elections.
The group expressed support for the ideals of NDASSO and its commitment to youth participation, peace, development and good governance.
Dagaci thanked the youths for the visit and assured them of NDASSO’s continued support for youth-driven initiatives that promote peace, development and democratic governance.
