The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commenced fresh mobilisation of Nigerian youths to tackle voter apathy and encourage greater participation in the nation’s electoral process.

The party said active involvement of young Nigerians in elections was critical to strengthening democracy, improving governance and ensuring that citizens played a decisive role in determining the country’s political future.

The National Director of Administration of the PDP, Arthur Bruno Ekwelem, stated this yesterday in Abuja in a keynote address delivered to mark the 2026 International Youth Day.

The event, organised by the Office of the National Youth Leader, Amb. Ibrahim Bala-Aboki, was held at Wadata Plaza, Abuja, with the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”

Ekwelem, in his speech titled, “How Youth Participation in Election Processes Can Curb Voter Apathy in Nigeria,” described voter apathy as one of the major challenges confronting Nigeria’s democratic development.

He said millions of young Nigerians were educated, energetic and passionate about their future, but often remained silent when decisions affecting their lives were being made.
According to him, voter apathy manifests in the failure or unwillingness of eligible citizens to participate fully in elections, including registering to vote, collecting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and turning out on Election Day.

He attributed the trend to distrust in political leaders and institutions, fear of electoral violence, economic hardship, misinformation and disinformation, inadequate civic education, logistical challenges and the perception that individual votes do not make a difference.

Ekwelem, however, said Nigerian youths had the numerical strength, energy, creativity, digital influence and capacity to mobilise that could transform the nation’s electoral landscape.

“Nigeria’s youth are not merely the leaders of tomorrow; they are the stakeholders and power brokers of today,” he said.

He warned that when citizens withdrew from the electoral process, they surrendered part of their democratic power to others, thereby creating room for poor leadership and weakening democratic institutions.

The PDP chieftain urged youths to move beyond expressing political opinions on social media and become active participants in the electoral process through voter registration, collection of PVCs, voting, civic education and monitoring of elections.

He also called on political parties, civil society organisations, electoral stakeholders and government institutions to create an enabling environment that would encourage young people to participate meaningfully in politics.

Ekwelem said credible elections, improved security, effective civic education and accessible electoral processes were essential to rebuilding public confidence and reducing voter apathy.

Speaking at the event, Bala-Aboki said the PDP had prioritised youth mobilisation, inclusion, empowerment, participation and grassroots development since the beginning of his tenure as National Youth Leader.

He said the party successfully mobilised youths and female youths to participate in ward, local government and state congresses, culminating in the PDP National Convention held on March 29 and 30, 2026.

Bala-Aboki added that young people were also encouraged to aspire to elective and party positions, while stakeholder engagements contributed to the emergence of several youth candidates whose names, he said, had been certified by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He said the Office of the National Youth Leader also mobilised youths and female youths for the PDP and INEC e-registration exercises.

The PDP youth leader disclosed that the office, in collaboration with Destiny Hotshot Synergy International, had commenced a Train-the-Trainers Initiative aimed at training 100 youths across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

According to him, the beneficiaries will subsequently train 50 youths in each of the country’s 774 local government areas, creating a multiplier effect for skills development nationwide.

He said the programme would cover vocational and entrepreneurial skills, including photography, shoemaking, duvet making, hair cream production, soap making, shampoo production, air freshener production and aftershave production.

Bala-Aboki said the initiative was designed to promote self-reliance, entrepreneurship, job creation and sustainable livelihoods among young Nigerians.

He urged PDP youths to intensify mobilisation against voter apathy, stressing that every voter had a role to play in shaping the country’s future.

“This is the time for action, not docility; time for greater momentum, not murmurs,” he said.

He added: “We must move from intention to action, from expectation to participation, and from participation to measurable impact.”

Bala-Aboki reaffirmed his commitment to building a youth structure that would be inclusive, vibrant, disciplined, innovative and grassroots-driven, stressing that youth inclusion should be viewed as an investment rather than a favour.

“The future of the Peoples Democratic Party and, indeed, the future of Nigerian democracy depends significantly on how effectively we engage, empower and prepare our young people,” he said.

He urged Nigerian youths to take ownership of the democratic process, saying: “The time is now; not tomorrow.”