By Luminous Jannamike
ABUJA – The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has warned that voter apathy among young Nigerians is weakening the country’s democracy, urging youths to convert their numerical strength into electoral power by actively participating in elections and governance.
The warning came yesterday in Abuja at the party’s 2026 International Youth Day programme, where speakers said young Nigerians could no longer afford to remain spectators in decisions shaping their future.
They identified voter apathy, unemployment, economic hardship and the high cost of political participation as major obstacles to youth involvement.
Delivering the keynote address, PDP National Director of Administration, Arthur Ekwelem, said Nigeria’s youths had the numbers, energy, creativity and digital influence to transform the electoral landscape.
“Democracy thrives on participation. When citizens withdraw from the electoral process, they surrender part of their democratic power to others,” Ekwelem said.
He identified distrust in political leaders and institutions, fear of electoral violence, economic hardship, misinformation, inadequate civic education and logistical difficulties among the factors discouraging citizens from voting.
Representing the Chairman of the occasion, former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, the PDP Gombe governorship candidate, Isah Pantami, said youths, who constitute more than 60 per cent of Nigeria’s population, must have a stronger voice in policymaking and governance.
“They are the backbone of our humanity. They are the vanguards of any positive change. They are the ambassadors of progress and development,” Pantami said.
He listed opportunities in the creative industry, digital economy, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, smart agriculture and other emerging sectors, but said unemployment, an outdated education system, inadequate mentorship and the rising cost of living were limiting young Nigerians.
Pantami also criticised the gap between the ‘Not Too Young To Run’ principle and the realities of seeking elective office, saying nomination fees, campaigns and other election expenses had made political participation difficult for many youths.
“Not too young to run … is only about an academic work where we have a law in place,” he said.
Director-General of the PDP Female Youth Wing, Hon. Loveth Izekor, urged young women to move beyond being mobilised for elections and become decision-makers.
“Democracy dies when youth are silent. We must move from being mobilised to being decision-makers,” Izekor said.
She called for greater access to political funding, training and tickets for young women, saying the gathering was intended as a strategy session rather than merely a celebration.
PDP National Youth Leader, Amb. Ibrahim Bala-Aboki, said his office had focused on youth mobilisation, inclusion and grassroots participation since assuming office, including mobilising young members for party congresses, INEC e-registration and elective positions.
He said the PDP had also inaugurated a National Youth Leadership Consultative Forum and commenced the revalidation of youth support groups nationwide.
Bala-Aboki announced a skills programme to train 100 youths as trainers, with each expected to train 50 youths across the country’s 774 local government areas in vocational and entrepreneurial skills.
“This is the time for action, not docility; time for valued alacrity, not void alarms; time for greater momentum, not murmurs,” he said.
He urged young Nigerians to reject voter apathy, insisting that their numerical strength could determine the direction of Nigerian democracy.
“Every voter is a leader. Together, let us shape and forge our chosen future,” Bala-Aboki said.
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