The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC says over 14,000 persons registered for their permanent Voters card within five days of the ‘youth Vote Count’ campaign organized by the European Union and INEC in Abuja.
INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu stated this at the ‘’youth vote count’’ mega concert held at the sports complex old parade ground Abuja.
According to him, in this place alone, In the last five days, Monday to yesterday Friday, we are still registering, but in the last five days, we have registered over 14,000 Nigerians in this place.
“Here in this place, we have 50 voter registration machines. Two weeks ago, we deployed more machines to the states. More machines left yesterday and more machines are leaving today all over the country. By Monday there will be more machines to register more Nigerians.
“So, we will not stop registration until we are satisfied that those who wish to register are given the opportunity to do so.”, he added
He begged Nigerians to use their PVC primarily for election purposes and not for bank account opening.
His words: “Now, when will your PVCs be ready for collection, I want to assure you that the PVC will be ready for Collection Latest October this year. So all of you will have your PVCs.
“I want to thank you for making the PVC the most popular ID card in Nigeria today, not being the PVC. But, what do you do with your PVCs, don’t use the PVC for all other things. The PVC is for election not opening of bank accounts.
“So please use your PVCs for the election. So I want to ask you. I will also give you my own promise; for those of you who registered on what we call the INEC reserve viewing portal, you were seeing the results from the polling units on Election Day in Ekiti state. Ekiti was good, Osun is going to be better and 2023 will be the best. Your votes will count.”
The Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, Ambassador Samuela ISOPI, described the enthusiasm shown by the large crowd for registration as a start of a great change in Nigeria
Ambassador Isopi charged Nigerian youths to take hold of their future.
She said: “Do your work to remain the master of your future; they do not know how to do it. Go out, vote! Vote for your leaders, challenge them, hold them accountable and stand for your values and for your opposition.
“This is the way to build democracy. This is the way you can get better governance, a better future, and a better Nigeria Nigeria. We the European Union, we stand by you, we want to work together with you to make Nigerian democracy stronger now this is the result of a great partnership.”
“This is the start of a great change, the youth turnout in Nigeria is historically low, it was then 30 percent in 2019 and even less than five percent in many areas of the country. This time, we know that it would be different, we can feel it, we can feel the energy. Nigerian youths are mobilising, they are telling us that this time they will be ready to be the driver of change,” he said.
“Young Nigerians, you are the massive force, you wield the power to drive positive change in this country. Your PVC is your power, your vote is your power, use it. Go out and register, go out to collect your PVC, and go out on the day of the election to cast your votes because your votes will count and your votes will make a difference, don’t give up your power, don’t sell your votes. If you sell your votes, you sell your future, don’t let anyone take your future away from you so go out, vote for your leaders, challenge them, and hold them accountable. Stand for your values and for your positions. This is the way to build democracy, this is the way you can get better governance, a better future, and a better Nigeria,” he charged Nigerian youths.
According to her, ”The European Union will stand by you, we will continue to support you, and we will continue to work with you to make Nigeria’s democracy stronger. “
Some of the youths expressed optimism that the 2023 general election would be interesting going by the massive sensitization from stakeholders
The Mega Concert attracted top Nigerian music artists such as Innocent Idebia also known as 2baba, Omawumi, Zlatan Ibile, Asake, Teni, Cobams Asuquo, Ice Prince, Sani Danjer, and MI Abaga, Mr Macaroni, Broda Saggy, Real warri pikin and Uti Nwachukwu
RN
