FG Charges Youths To Reclaim Nigeria's Democracy Ahead Of 2027 Polls

As the 2027 general elections draw near, the federal government has urged Nigerian youths to take an active role in the country's electoral process. This call to action is aimed at empowering young people to drive the nation's economic growth and development agenda. According to the government, many democracies, including Nigeria, face numerous challenges such as declining trust, voter apathy, misinformation, vote buying, and electoral violence. These issues have led to a growing perception among young people that their votes do not make a significant difference. Dr. Olukemi Afolayan, Director of Civic, Values and Democracy Education at the National Orientation Agency, emphasized the importance of reclaiming citizens' confidence in the democratic process. Speaking at the Election Roundtable on the 2027 General Elections, organized by the Humanitarian Foundation for Social Justice and The Create Studio Nigeria in Abuja, Afolayan stated that Nigeria's youthful population is not just the leaders of tomorrow but active stakeholders in the country's present. She noted that their voices, choices, and participation will significantly determine the quality of the nation's democracy and its future. Afolayan stressed that enfranchising a new generation of voters requires more than just encouraging young people to register and vote. It demands equipping them with the knowledge, confidence, and civic values necessary to participate meaningfully and responsibly in the electoral process. The government, according to Afolayan, must empower voters to reject vote buying and selling, resist manipulation and misinformation, and shun electoral violence. Furthermore, the government should create a democratic environment where every eligible citizen, especially young people, women, and persons with disabilities, feels that the political process belongs to them. Prof. Ajibade Abiodun Michael, the keynote speaker, urged the government to invest in reclaiming the vote from the forces of apathy and obstruction and enfranchising a new generation of leaders. He emphasized that the right to vote is the foundation of democracy and that voter suppression is a persistent issue. Michael advocated for the electoral umpire to invest more in technology, arguing that technology is not the enemy of elections but an enabler. Rev. Fr. Sebastian Sanni, Executive Director of the Justice, Development and Peace Caritas Initiative, represented by Mr. Timothy Ejeh, stated that the future of Nigeria's democracy cannot be discussed without placing young people at the center of the conversation. He noted that Nigerian youths have the numbers, energy, creativity, and capacity but need the courage to use their collective power responsibly. Earlier, Adekunle Adebanjo, Executive Director of the Humanitarian Foundation for Social Justice, said the roundtable was conceived as a platform for constructive engagement among critical stakeholders to examine the forthcoming 2027 General Elections and proffer practical solutions to strengthen the nation's democracy.