Youth Advocacy Group Honours INEC Chairman, Urges Collaborative Drive for Youth Voter Mobilisation.
In a significant gesture of recognition, the National Youth for Good Leadership and Governance (NYGLG) presented a ‘Certificate of Excellence Award’ to Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), today at the Commission’s conference room in abuja. The event underscored a shared commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy by empowering its largest demographic: the youth.
The award was received on behalf of Professor Yakubu by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Outreach and Partnership Committee, Professor Kunle Ajayi. The delegation from the NYGLG was led by its National President, Engr. Labaran Abubakar, and included other executive members such as National Vice President Victor Ododo and National Secretary Comrade A.D. Bilal.
In his acceptance speech, Professor Ajayi positioned the honour as a testament to the collective efforts of the entire Commission. He swiftly pivoted to the central theme of the meeting: the indispensable role of young Nigerians in the electoral process. Citing current statistics, Professor Ajayi revealed that youths constitute about 60% of the nation’s over 93 million registered voters, framing them as the bedrock of the nation’s democratic future.
“The energy and potential of our youth are not just assets; they are necessities for a vibrant democracy,” Professor Ajayi stated. “Excluding such a significant segment of our population from active participation would be a fundamental flaw. Our mission is to ensure their full and informed inclusion.”
He issued a dual call to action for the youth group. First, he urged them to leverage their platforms to drive participation in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR). Second, he delivered a stern warning against the practice of vote-selling, equating it to a surrender of long-term national prosperity for temporary gain. “When a citizen sells their vote, they are not just trading a ballot; they are mortgaging their future, selling their right to quality education, a functional judicial system, and good governance,” he emphasised.
Responding on behalf of the NYGLG, National Secretary Comrade A.D. Bilal commended Professor Yakubu’s leadership, asserting that INEC is more “better than he met it.” He highlighted the Commission’s technological advancements, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), as a game-changer that has significantly reduced “electoral violence, ballot box snatching, and malpractice.”
Comrade Bilal also presented a challenge, condemning the disturbing trend of post-election violence targeting INEC facilities. He called for a shift in youth engagement from destruction to legal recourse, stating, “The path to challenging electoral outcomes lies in the courtroom, not in the burning of public property. We must empower our youth to be champions of the rule of law.”
Concluding the event, INEC’s Deputy Director of Publicity, Mr. Wilfred Ifogah, delivered a vote of thanks. He subtly highlighted the Commission’s commitment to gender mainstreaming, noting the contrast with the all-male composition of the visiting delegation. Mr. Ifogah also addressed the Commission’s struggle with public perception, appealing for a more balanced appraisal of its incremental progress rather than focusing solely on final outcomes.
The ceremony marks a strategic step by INEC to forge partnerships with credible youth organisations, aiming to transform the demographic dominance of young Nigerians into a force for informed electoral participation and the consolidation of democratic norms ahead of future elections.