In 2011, close to 800 people died following a wave of violent riots after the 2011 elections that saw a southern Christian, Goodluck Jonathan emerge President of Nigeria, defeating Muhammadu Buhari (Nigeria’s incumbent president), who stood as an opposition candidate in the areas.

Adamawa, a mixed religious state in Nigeria’s Muslim North was also rocked by the devastating carnage. Adamawa state has its own rich history of political violence and has been listed by the International Crisis Group as one of the six riskiest states ahead of the general elections.

However, Yola Connect, a youth group, named after the state capital are pushing to change this narrative. The group mostly comprising students are moving from house-to-house evangelizing their communities on the need to embrace peace. The 300-person walk had the youths who were supporters of various candidates and parties suing for peace, integrity and issues based campaigns.

Among factors that could trigger conflict in the state, according to the ICG include, “hate speeches, the spread of fake news and abuse of electoral laws.” These factors form the basis of the group’s advocacy.

“We want people to remember that after elections there is life to live, let us not compromise relationships because of politics or for a candidate who won’t even acknowledge your sacrifice,” says Abdulrahman Bappulo, 27. “I have one vote, and the candidates have one vote there’s no need to fight.”

The crusade also moved against vote trading, which has become a dominant issue around the elections.

“We told them that when politicians pay for their votes they also have to recover those funds after elections at the detriment of providing basic amenities in their communities,” says Inuwa Isa Meeraj, 24, a founding member of Yola Connect. “Part of the message we passed was to open their minds to see how the youths are important in the growth of every society.”