A Non-Governmental Organisation, Broad Focus for Community Development, had called on youths to come out in large numbers to vote in the August 15 governorship election, warning that low youth turnout undermines democracy.
The group made the call on Friday, during a voter education and sensitisation programme in Osogbo.
Speaking during the programme, the team lead of the organisation, Mr Vincent Enike, said the exercise was to mobilise young voters and reduce the number of rejected ballots in the poll.
Enike urged the youths to come out en masse and participate in the August 15 gubernatorial election.
“This programme is to speak on how we can encourage our youth to come out on August 15 to cast their votes. If we have 50% of the youth come out to cast their vote, there will be a great increase in voter turnout,” Vincent said.
He added that, “Election is not when you sit down in your room and use your phone to permutate the next leader to give us a fake result. We don’t want that anymore. What we need is for the youths to use their phones to give us accurate information about what is happening in their polling units.”
One of the facilitators at the programme, Mr Festus Ojewumi, noted that young people are the largest voting bloc in Osun and cannot afford to sit on the sidelines while decisions about their future are made.
Ojewumi explained that the reason for gathering youth organisations was to design a peer-to-peer mobilisation strategy that speaks the language of young people.
“We need to go out and carry out sensitisations targeted towards young people so that they can come out on August 15th, 2026,” he said.
“The changes that youths are clamouring for can never be made, except they get involved. It can only be done when they come out and participate in the election and choose their own leader,” Ojewumi stated.
The facilitator added that the plan moving forward is for the youth groups present to return to their communities, schools, and online spaces to drive the message.
READ ALSO
•Reps Warn Omidiran, Threaten To Sanction NRS Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, Over Recruitment
•No Vacuum In Osun NURTW Leadership, Alowonle Still Chairman – Govt
In his remarks, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, who was represented by the commission’s Head of Voter Education, Gender and Inclusivity Department, Mr Rufus Ariyo, said young people are critical stakeholders in the electoral process given their number among registered voters in the state.
Ariyo noted that youth participation is germane to credible outcomes, adding that issues like insecurity and economic downturn affect young people the most and can only be addressed when they get involved.
“If youths are not coming out in large numbers, then the results can never be accurate. It means only the elderly people will decide who will lead us, which is not good for democracy. The beauty of democracy is the majority,” Ariyo stated.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
What do you think about this?
Drop your opinion in the comment section.
FOLLOW US & Share this with someone who needs to see this.
