Politics
THE Open Mind Young Voices Network (OMYV), with support from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), has intensified efforts to mobilise youths in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for active participation in the 2027 general elections.
The initiative commenced with a community outreach in Kuje on Saturday, where youths received training on social democracy, leadership and active citizenship to deepen their participation in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Mr Shadrach Danladi, a development practitioner, said the outreach was already changing perceptions among young people and women who previously believed that their votes did not matter.
Danladi, who facilitated technical sessions said sustained advocacy and sensitisation across communities had helped to address voter apathy and encourage citizens to participate in elections.
“Many young people and women initially felt they had no business participating in the voting process. They believed their votes would not count and saw no need to obtain voter cards.
“Today, we have witnessed a significant mindset shift. They now understand that their votes count and that participation in the leadership recruitment process is important.
“As a result of the awareness campaign, more than 10 people have enrolled in voter registration, and many others are optimistic about participating in future elections,” he said.
He urged young Nigerians to take the 2027 elections seriously, noting that voter turnout in the 2023 elections was below 35 per cent though more than 90 million voters registered.
“Our future will be determined by the leaders we elect. Beyond voting, young people must defend their votes and avoid being used to disrupt electoral processes and democratic institutions,” he said.
Also, Mrs Julianna Anosike, Project Manager at FES, said many citizens had become discouraged by previous electoral experiences, poor governance and weak engagement between elected representatives and constituents.
According to her, the outreach was designed to restore confidence in the democratic process and encourage citizens to remain engaged.
“Some people feel disappointed because after elections they hardly hear from those they elected. Such experiences discourage participation.
“However, staying away from elections is not an option. Whether you vote or not, you will still be affected by the outcome,” she said.
Anosike encouraged young people to go beyond voting by actively participating in political parties and advocating reforms from within.
Earlier, Ms Linda Raji, an OMYV representative, said the engagement provided participants with a platform to share their frustrations and experiences regarding electoral processes.
She noted that many participants expressed concerns over logistical challenges, voter relocation issues and loss of confidence in the system.
“This programme is helping young people understand why electoral participation matters. It reminds them that giving up means losing the opportunity to influence decisions that affect their lives.
“We also discussed vote-buying and helped participants understand that accepting inducements during elections can amount to trading away their future for the next four years,” she said.
Raji urged youths to remain engaged in democratic processes, participate in town hall meetings and hold elected leaders accountable for campaign promises.
One of the participants, Ms Yunusa Hauwa, said the training had changed her perception about voting and civic responsibility.
“Before now, I had no interest in voting, but I have learnt that our votes count and that we must be conscious of our responsibility as citizens,” she said.
Similarly, Mr Aminu Bako, a community youth leader in Kuje Township, expressed optimism that the intervention would improve voter turnout among young people.
“We have had challenges with low voter turnout over the years, even though young people constitute the majority of registered voters.
“With interventions like this, we expect greater participation in 2027 and an opportunity to elect transformational leaders who can move the nation forward,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the outreach forms part of OMYV’s broader efforts to promote democratic values, youth leadership and informed participation in governance across communities ahead of the 2027 general elections. (NAN)
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Tags: FCT Youths