Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has advised politicians to do away with violence and refrain from luring youths into thuggery.

Ahmed, who gave the advice in Ilorin, at the Ramadan lecture of the Ansarul Islam Society, asked politicians to realise the fact that power comes only from God and, therefore, should avoid desperation in the pursuit of their aspirations.

He said youths should not be sent on voyage of thuggery, from which they might not recover or return.

"We must avoid using our youths for thuggery and other forms of violence. Our youths need jobs and a future. Let us give them jobs, not guns," the governor said.

Ahmed asked political office holders to use their positions for the good of the people, especially the downtrodden.

"All power emanates from and belongs to Allah Who gives it to whom He pleases to uplift the people. We must make life better for the people, whether they voted for us or not," Ahmed said.

The governor emphasised the need for wealth redistribution for poverty reduction as God, he said, blessed the rich and the privileged so that the less fortunate could receive help.

In his lecture, the Mufti of Ilorin, Sheikh Sofiyyulah Kamaldeen Al-Addabiy, urged Muslims to allow the fear of Allah to influence their actions at all times so that they can find His favour on the Day of Judgment.