In the lead-up to the Anambra Governorship Election held on November 6, 2021, ReadyToLeadAfrica, in collaboration with civil society partners, convened the Youth Peace Accord—a bold, youth-led initiative aimed at promoting peaceful participation, issue-based campaigning, and electoral integrity in one of Nigeria’s most politically sensitive states.
This landmark event brought together youth leaders, political party representatives, candidates, community influencers, and peace actors to publicly commit to non-violence and peaceful conduct before, during, and after the election.
Objectives of the Accord:
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To prevent electoral violence through youth engagement and dialogue
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To foster a culture of tolerance, unity, and civic responsibility among young voters
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To encourage political accountability and peace-centered campaigning
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To amplify the voice of young people as guardians of democracy and stability
Highlights:
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Peace Pledge: Youth and political actors signed the Peace Accord, signaling a shared commitment to uphold peace regardless of political outcomes.
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Multi-Stakeholder Engagement: The event attracted representatives from INEC, security agencies, traditional rulers, youth organizations, and the media.
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Youth Dialogue Forum: A forum followed the signing, offering young people a platform to discuss challenges around electoral violence, misinformation, and voter suppression.
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Media and Civic Education: The campaign leveraged traditional and digital media to educate citizens on peaceful participation and the importance of voting.
Impact:
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Strengthened the role of youth as peacebuilders in Anambra’s political process
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Raised awareness on peaceful electoral practices across local communities
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Built momentum for future youth-led peace initiatives in Nigeria’s elections
The Youth Peace Accord initiative reinforced the idea that peace is not the absence of tension, but the presence of justice, dialogue, and civic responsibility. ReadyToLeadAfrica remains committed to sustaining this momentum across Nigeria and beyond—empowering young people to lead change through peace.