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INEC, AYGF Urge Nigerian Youths To Take Ownership Of Democracy

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By Angela Atabo

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the African Youth Growth Foundation (AYGF) have urged Nigerian youths to take ownership of the democratic space and actively participate in governance.

 

They made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the National Youth Mentorship Conference on Sustainable Democratic Governance, themed: “Building Sustainable Pathways for Civic Leadership, Electoral Participation and Democratic Governance.”

 

Dr Arome Salifu, Executive Director of AYGF, said youths, who constituted more than 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population, had both the responsibility and opportunity to shape the country’s political future.

 

Salifu, however, lamented that youths had been systematically excluded, directly or indirectly, from meaningful participation in the democratic process and governance.

 

“This is what this conference is about to address. We have a youthful population, no doubt. The energy, the brilliance, the intellect, the intentions, the charismatic nature of young people, well endowed. There is no doubt about it.

 

“When you ask every other African about Nigerians, they will tell you Nigerians are very industrious, creative, talented, and the best in the continent.

 

“However, when it comes to governance, democratic participation, they are totally missing in action. That is fallacy of composition. And that is what we must not accept as a people and as a country,” he said.

 

Salifu said the enactment of the Not Too Young to Run law was an important step but had not removed all barriers preventing youths from actively participating in politics.

 

“Across all political parties, how many young people are currently on the list of candidates? Of course, it is deliberate. But it is in your place to reclaim the ownership of the democratic space,” he said.

 

He urged youths to seek political power through lawful and democratic means rather than violence, electoral malpractice or intimidation.

 

Salifu said political participation should involve organising, building networks, developing credible agendas, engaging in democratic processes and pursuing economic empowerment.

 

He called on stakeholders to create opportunities for youth economic empowerment while providing mentorship, civic education and leadership development to prepare young people for governance.

 

Prof. Sam Egwu, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Plateau, also urged youths to use elections as a peaceful means of expressing dissatisfaction with government and choosing competent leaders.

 

Speaking on “Voter Apathy in Nigeria’s Electoral Process: Implications for Democratic Legitimacy,” Egwu said young people had a critical role in reversing the country’s declining voter turnout.

 

He said voter apathy posed a major threat to democratic legitimacy because governments elected by a small proportion of citizens could face questions about the breadth of their mandate.

 

Egwu said that average voter turnout in Nigeria’s last three electoral cycles had remained between 30 per cent and 35 per cent.

 

He urged young Nigerians to demonstrate dissatisfaction with poor governance by voting rather than staying away from polling units.

 

“We need to show our public anger, not by resorting to violence, but by going to the polls to select the people that are popular,” he said.

 

Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, Director-General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), said youth inclusion was a fundamental requirement for legitimate and sustainable democracy.

 

Sulaiman, represented by Dr Christopher Ngara, Director, Department of Democracy and Governance, identified unemployment, poverty, unequal access to education, weak institutions and limited political financing as major barriers.

 

He said youths were often treated as voters, campaign mobilisers and political foot soldiers rather than policymakers, legislators and leaders within the democratic system.

 

“In extreme cases, young people have also been vulnerable to political manipulation and mobilisation for political violence,” he said.

 

Sulaiman said the situation must change, emphasising that meaningful youth participation was essential to ensuring the responsiveness, legitimacy and sustainability of Nigeria’s democracy.

 

Mr Suleiman Mande, Founder of The Mande Global Impact Consulting Ltd., said the quality of Nigeria’s democracy depended largely on the character, knowledge and responsibility of its citizens.

 

Mande urged young Nigerians to prepare for leadership by becoming informed, responsible and active citizens capable of contributing positively to democratic governance.

 

He encouraged youths to participate before, during and after elections, ask questions, demand transparency, respect the rule of law and remain engaged in governance.

 

“Before we demand accountability from institutions, we must first ask ourselves, are we accountable ourselves? Are we responsible citizens?” he asked.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

 

ATAB/AMM

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru

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2027: Again, Dino Melaye blasts Tinubu for chairing his own campaign council

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A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Dino Melaye, has again slammed President Bola Tinubu for chairing his own Presidential Campaign Council.

In a post on his verified Facebook page on Thursday, Melaye said the actions of the President are similar to a groom chairing his own wedding reception.

Recall that President Tinubu recently constituted his Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections.

Tinubu made himself the chairman of the campaign council and appointed former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari as Director-General.

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Reacting, the former Kogi West Senator said, “A presidential candidate chairing his own campaign council is like a groom chairing his own wedding reception.”

The ex-lawmaker had revealed plans to drag President Tinubu to court for allegedly appointing Dr Zacch Adedeji, the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, NRS, as Deputy Director of Fundraising for his 2027 presidential campaign.

DAILY POST reports that President Tinubu is facing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the ADC and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.

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Details Emerge as Gov Mutfwang Summons Security Chiefs Over Plateau Attacks

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Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has summoned the State Security Council for an urgent review of the recent attacks across the state, as security agencies intensify efforts to prevent further killings and bring those behind the violence to justice.

The meeting was held on Wednesday at the New Government House in Little Rayfield, Jos, amid renewed concerns over attacks on communities and security personnel in different parts of Plateau State.

The council brought together the Deputy Governor, heads of security and law enforcement agencies, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, and other senior government officials.

Discussions centred on recent security incidents, emerging threats and the need to improve the state’s response.

Intelligence gathering and sharing, preventive operations, cooperation among security agencies and the protection of lives, property and economic activities were also considered.

The meeting came shortly after a series of deadly incidents, including the attack in Mangu Local Government Area that left dozens of residents dead.

The Plateau State Government had earlier condemned the August attack on Bin Mper community in Kombun District, Mangu LGA, and directed security agencies to increase surveillance and patrols in vulnerable communities.

Speaking after Wednesday’s security meeting, the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Ayodeji Faniyan, explained that Governor Mutfwang regularly brings security chiefs together to assess developments and identify areas requiring stronger action.

He said the latest meeting was necessary because of the recent security breaches recorded in the state.

“Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang is the Chief Security Officer of the State, and once in a while, we review the security situation. We assess the security situation in order to take steps to improve on what we already have,” Faniyan said.

The police commissioner also addressed the Mangu incident, admitting that the attack occurred despite preparations and deployment by security personnel.

“The Mangu case was very unfortunate. We prepared and deployed, but somehow, such incidents still occurred. That is part of why His Excellency called this meeting so that such incidents must not happen again,” he said.

Police Confirm Arrests

Faniyan disclosed that security agencies had already arrested some suspects in connection with major attacks recorded in Plateau within the past month.

He said the investigation had not been concluded, stressing that other individuals believed to be involved were still being pursued.

According to him, the investigation is being conducted jointly with other security agencies at both the state and national levels.

“We have some arrests; investigation is ongoing. We are not investigating in isolation. We are collaborating with all the other agencies up to the national level. We are still going after some suspects, and we are doing a lot of technological analysis,” Faniyan said.

The commissioner said the use of technology would support efforts to analyse available intelligence and trace those suspected to have participated in the attacks.

He also called on residents to provide credible information about suspicious persons, movements and activities in their communities.

Mangu Attack

The security council meeting followed the deadly attack recorded in Mangu earlier in August.

The attack on communities in the area caused widespread concern, with reports putting the number of people killed at more than 20.

The violence also forced residents to flee their homes, while houses and other property were destroyed.

The incident renewed concerns about the ability of security agencies to protect vulnerable communities, particularly areas that have experienced violence in the past.

The state government subsequently urged residents to remain calm and avoid reprisals while security agencies worked to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and pursue those responsible.

Plateau has also continued to face security challenges in other parts of the state.

In Riyom Local Government Area, suspected gunmen reportedly attacked Tanjol and Tarai communities in Jol District on August 30.

Two security operatives were killed during the incident, while their rifles were reportedly taken away.

Mutfwang Pushes Regional Security Cooperation

The latest meeting also comes days after Mutfwang participated in the 2026 North-Central Security Summit in Makurdi, Benue State.

At the August 31 summit, the governor called for a coordinated approach to insecurity across the North-Central region.

He argued that states could no longer rely solely on individual responses because criminal movements and security threats often cross state boundaries.

Mutfwang said the region needed stronger intelligence sharing and joint operations among states and security agencies.

He also disputed the tendency to describe every attack in Plateau as a farmer-herder clash, saying some attackers were believed to come from outside the state.

The governor’s position at the summit further highlighted the need for cooperation between Plateau and neighbouring states to identify movements of armed groups before they reach vulnerable communities.

George Akume
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume

President Bola Tinubu, represented at the summit by Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, also called for stronger cooperation between governments, security agencies, traditional institutions and communities.

The President said military operations alone would not be enough to achieve lasting peace in the region.

Security Agencies Receive Fresh Directives

Following Wednesday’s meeting, the police said security agencies had received fresh instructions to strengthen preventive operations across Plateau.

Faniyan said the focus would be on gathering useful intelligence, improving cooperation between agencies and acting before threats develop into full-scale attacks.

He assured residents that security personnel would continue efforts to protect communities and prevent criminal elements from undermining peace in the state.

The commissioner further urged residents not to keep information about suspicious activities to themselves, stressing that timely reports could assist security agencies in responding before an attack occurs.

 

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