By Akinwale Kasali
After a successful outing in Lagos, the ‘Youth Vote Count Initiative’ by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in partnership with European Union, Yiaga Africa and other Civil Society Organizations, CSOs has moved its train to the Eagle Square in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory to enable Youths participate enmasse in the ongoing Voters Registration Exercise.
The initiative which is targeted at encouraging youths to troop out in large numbers and register for the Permanent Voters Cards, PVC, in order to exercise their franchise as the 2023 Election gathers momentum.
According to the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Abuja, Yahaya Bello, INEC has made available over 50 Machines for Voters’ Registration at the Eagles Square, Abuja, with over 150 Personnels for those who want to register newly for their PVCs, those seeking transfer to another State and those that have damaged or lost their PVCs.
Interestingly, INEC revealed that the turnout has been encouraging as Youths in the FCT defied torrential rainfall to register for voter cards at the open air Continuous Voters Registration (CVR).
Laolu Olawunmi, Programme Manager, European Union, said that INEC commitment to inclusiveness and transparency has made the EU to collaborate with the Commission, and that the Youth Vote Count Initiative is a non partisan campaign for youths to participate in the electoral process.
Olawunmi stressed that there is need for Nigerian youths to get involved in the policy making of the nation and choose the leaders they want to rule them by getting their PVCs and bring an end to the voters apathy the nation has been witnessing in previous elections.
She added that she is optimistic that the exercise will achieve its purpose, as the EU is expecting a large turnout of Youths more than that of Lagos weeks ago.
Yiaga Africa Executive Director, Stanley Itodo, said Youths need to come out in large numbers to get their PVCs and decide their future, rather than sitting back and complaining.
He said the Mega Concert will see the likes of MI Abaga, Kiss Daniel, 2Face Idibia, Teni, Omawunmi, Pasuma, Small Doctor, Mayokun and a lot of Nollywood Stars coming to sensitize the youths on the need of having their PVCs and to have fun to the senerous lyrics of their idols.
The open air Permanent Voter Cards registration is expected to run from June 20-June 25, with the “Youth Vote Count 2.0 Mega Concert’’ to hold on June 25 at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja.
Some of the Participants at the ongoing exercise who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, said that the initiative is commendable, while some complained that the process is hectic.
Rosemary Okereke, a youth, commended the initiative.
“What actually brought me here is to transfer my PVC from my state to Abuja to enable me to vote.
“The organisers really tried; they did their best; it is just that the crowd outnumbered them initially.
“Most of us got the information on Twitter, so my advice for other people out there is that this is real.
Also, Sor Orduen, a youth, complained that the process is rigorous and hectic.
“It is worth the effort, so what I am telling youths is to get the voter card.
“I am very sure with this, we can change the government to the one that will favour us,’’ he said.
Sandra Edeh, a Youth Corps member commended the organisers for the initiative to help youths to collect the PVCs
