2023: Yiaga Africa, youths strategize to stop voter apathy

A cross section of youths across the country have promised to work against voter apathy by encouraging their friends to get a voter card among other strategies.

Speaking on Friday in Abuja at the Youth Festival organized by Yiaga Africa and implemented under the #RunToWinNG project, the participants drawn from different parts of the country resolved to move from street to street, school to school and ensure that more eligible youths register to vote in the 2023 general elections.

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The Youth Festival, organized with support from Voice and OXFAM Nigeria under the #RunToWinNG project is providing a platform for young people and newly eligible voters to have interesting conversations about democratic participation through voting.

Speaking at the event, the Director of Programmes, Yiaga Africa, Cynthia Nbamalu, said that any initiative aimed at enlightening the voters is a welcome development.

She said that since democracy is all about participation, the programme was aimed at inspiring the young voters to vote.

“The young millennials don’t vote. When people sit-down without doing anything, things cannot work. Democracy is not wishful thinking but that it requires hard work.

“The youth cannot transform their numerical strength if they did not come out to vote. You must vote wisely and make a better decision this time around,” she said.

Also speaking, Mr. Obinna Osisiogu of We-Vote, said the leaders have failed the youths adding that they are mobilising the youth to vote in 2023 elections.

“The more you stay away from the electoral process, the more things get worse. People must shine their eyes and constantly engage in the political process for it to get better. Staying away from the electoral process makes rigging take place.

“If people are at the voting units, the chances are that they will use the available ballot papers. So, the youths must hold the government accountable by not complaining, but by engaging in the process. The only way to change things is to vote on election day and stay away from violence,” Osisiogu said.