Elohor Igbru, Abuja
Are Nigerian youths ready to take their destinies in their own hands, overturn the money and ethnic politics played by their fathers and vote their own candidate as President in the 2023, presidential elections?
The answer may be closer to affirmation.
No fewer than 14,000 Nigerians on Saturday registered for their Permanent Voters Cards, PVC during the 5-day #YouthVoteCount mega concert in Abuja.
The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, made this disclosure during the concert.
Yakubu added that the PVCs would be due for collection in October.
According to him, “In this place, this is the old parade ground. In the last five days, Monday to yesterday Friday, we were still registering today, 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.
Earlier in her speech, the Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and to the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Samuela ISOPI, charged Nigerian youths to take hold of their future.
While reaffirming partnership with the Nigerian Youths, she urged them to remain strong against opposition.
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 oppositions.
“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.”
