Date: 2021-01-08

...Decries growing voters' apathy in Nigeria

Young politicians under the aegis of YVote Naija Thursday said they are interfacing with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to encourage eligible Nigerians to participate in the INEC Voter Registration (CVR) exercise scheduled for the first quarter of this year.

The group also recommended an electronic voting system in the 2023 general elections, adding that that would enable Nigerians in the diaspora to vote for leaders of their choice.

Executive Director, YVote Naija, Abideen Olasupo told reporters in Ilorin, Kwara state capital, noting that e-voting would demystify the whole voting processes in the country.

Olasupo added that growing electoral apathy has been described as a major challenge hampering sustainable development in Nigeria.

He, therefore "urge Nigerians of voting age who are yet to register to advantage of this opportunity to get registered and prepare to exercise their franchise when the need arises.

"People must know that numbers matter a lot in elections. There is strength in numbers. We must therefore use our numbers to elect leaders of our choice to ensure the real change and development we want for Nigeria and ourselves. We cannot continue to rant and complain without taking action.

"We must take actions to end bad leadership in the country, and that starts with us registering to get our Permanent Voters' Cards and going out en masse on election days to vote leaders of our choice."

He said: "Since 1999 when the country returned to democracy, after a long hiatus with military rule, the country has held 6 elections. Some of the low points of these elections have been massive electoral apathy influenced by factors such as electoral violence, political thuggery, rigging, etc.

Nonetheless, elections are what determine the quality of leadership a country has. Growing political apathy harms the development of the country. This is one of the reasons why we have decided to launch YVoteNaija.

"We set out to educate Nigerians on the need to actively participate in the electoral process. We shall also be advocating for free, fair and peaceful elections. The process of electing public officials must be transparent and citizens must exercise their franchise without fear.

"This project will also address issues such as voter education, electoral violence, getting voters card, and making the electoral laws accessible to more citizens.

"As the 2023 elections approach us, our mission is to play an active role in increasing participation in elections, especially among young people. We will be working with various stakeholders including INEC, community-based organizations, religious institutions, youth-led and women groups as well as the media to make this project a success.

"We will also fashion out ways to erase barriers to greater political participation. It is important we increase people's participation in the electoral process and make it more meaningful."