LAGOS/Nigeria: Stakeholders in Nigeria’s electoral and civic space have called on youths and community leaders to intensify efforts to mobilise citizens to register, collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and actively participate in the 2027 general elections.
The call was made during a Civic Literacy Town Hall Workshop themed “Youth Power, Our Voice: Enhancing Civic Literacy and Voter Participation in Lagos State,” organised by the Springwell Development Initiative in partnership with Yiaga Africa with support from the National Endowment for Democracy.
Speaking at the event, the Public Relations Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State, Mrs Esther Emeh, urged community leaders and influential figures to step up voter mobilisation efforts across communities.
Emeh encouraged religious leaders, market influencers and social media personalities to actively promote voter registration and participation among their followers and members.
She likened the voter registration process to the Biblical story of Isaac digging wells, urging Nigerians to remain persistent despite past frustrations with the electoral process.
“Just like Isaac kept digging wells, we must continue pushing for participation in our electoral process,” she said, stressing that sustained engagement was necessary to deepen democracy.
According to her, the Commission commenced Continuous Voter Registration on August 25 and is currently in the second phase of the exercise.
However, she expressed concern over the low turnout at several registration centres, noting that some centres record as few as two or three registrants daily.
Emeh therefore called on civic leaders to deploy multiple communication platforms including sermons, community meetings, flyers and social media platforms such as TikTok to raise awareness about voter registration and participation.
She also emphasised the need to promote peaceful elections and ensure inclusive participation, particularly for persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups.
The Lagos State Focal Person for Yiaga Africa, Mr Michael Ogunsola, highlighted the importance of civic education in encouraging young people to participate in elections.
Ogunsola noted that voter apathy and electoral malpractice had long undermined Nigeria’s democratic process but maintained that sustained advocacy and civic enlightenment could reverse the trend.
He added that credibility, accountability and dedication on the part of electoral officials would be critical to rebuilding public trust in the electoral system.
In her remarks, the Executive Director of Springwell Development Initiative, Mrs Feyikemi Fabiyi-Omoniyi, acknowledged the reality of voter apathy but urged young Nigerians not to disengage from the democratic process.
She stressed that youths must take responsibility for the country’s future by registering, collecting their PVCs and voting for credible candidates capable of delivering good governance.
Also speaking, the Electoral Officer for Ojo Local Government Area, Mrs Omolara Ogundare, urged residents to take advantage of the ongoing voter registration exercise.
Ogundare expressed concern that many registered voters often fail to collect their PVCs or turn out to vote during elections, a trend she said weakens democratic participation.
She encouraged eligible citizens to register, collect their voter cards and actively participate in the January 20, 2027 general elections.
A lecturer at Lagos State University, Dr Oseni Kayode, also stressed the importance of voting in strengthening democratic institutions.
Kayode noted that elections provide citizens with the opportunity to choose their leaders, influence public policies and hold governments accountable.
He urged young people to reject the notion that their votes do not count and instead embrace the electoral process as a powerful tool for shaping governance and strengthening democracy in Nigeria.
