Ahead of Osun State governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Tuesday held a one-day engagement with identified youth groups in the State on the role of youths in mobilisation of voters to participate in the electoral processes.
The programme held at the NMA hall in Osogbo, the State capital, was attended by youths stakeholders, corps members, civil society groups and members of youth groups from different constituencies of the State.
No fewer that 30 youth groups and stakeholders were present at the workshop.
In his address, Residential Electoral Commissioner, Professor Abdulganiyu Raji, described the youths as “the most enlightened, articulated, vibrant, energetic and technologically savvy but vulnerable and readily available agents for untoward actions by the unscrupulous elements in the society.”
Raji said the event was organized to ensure increased voters turnout in Osun election and to curb all vices that may hamper the process.
The Osun INEC boss lamented the “I don’t care attitude disposition of the youths to vote in election”, stating that their refusal to partake in electoral processes calls for “serious concern”.
“To curb the unbothered attitude of the youths, the Commission organized the engagement meeting with identified youth groups in Osun State, with a theme the “Role of Youths in Osun Governorship Election”.
“It is our strong belief and we are convinced beyond reasonable doubt that today’s meeting with you will provide needed impetus in changing the old narrative of not voting in the election or being used by the inordinate political class who believe in election violence as a means of achieving their selfish political interest”,he said.
Raji said, “the Commission as a responsible and responsive agency will continually play her role and jealously guided by her mission, vision and core values to serve as an independent and effective dody committed to the conduct of free, fair and credible elections for sustainable democracy in Nigeria.
“The Commission in collaboration with her development partners such as International Foundation for Electoral Support Systems (IFES) and European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) had developed a document tagged Youth Engagement Strategy.
Raji said the document is specifically designed with lofty strategies to motivate youths that do not see cogent reasons as to which they must participate in democratic process.
” To ensure all eligible voters are encouraged and mobilized for participation in electioneering processes”,he affirmed.
“Also, the Commission in her quest to ensure every member of the society is catered for in electoral process, developed a working document INEC Framework on Access and Participation of Persons with Disabilities(PWDs) in the Electoral Process. The document was launched in October, 2018 long before the Disability Act was signed into by Mr. President Muhamad Buhari”.
He therefore urged the youths to play their role as non-partisan organizations for betterment and improvement of our democracy.
He administered that very soon a two day workshop will be organized for the youth and acquaint them with best ways of conducting effective voter education and public mobilization at the grassroot level and mobilize you with funds.
In conjunction with the Commission and Youths groups in Constituencies,they can help to conduct voter education, information, which will enable them to make informed electoral decision and reduce voter apathy,in all nooks and crannies of the State for peaceful conduct of Osun 2022 Governorship Election slated for Saturday, 16th July, 2022.
Raji affirmed and reiterated that “the Commission is ready to conduct free, fair, credible, transparent, inclusive and conclusive election come 16th July, 2022 by providing a level playing field for all the candidates and the political parties contesting this election”.
He strongly advised the youths to ‘vote not fight’ because ‘election no be war’.
Israel Adeyemi, a corp member spoke with InsightMedia, he said” it’s high time Nigerian Youths come together en mass and exercise their franchise by making their population count, in order to achieve the democratic state we are wish for.”
The corps member described the engagement as a very important one that will strengthen the development of the process and position it for better results.
Also speaking, a member of SO-LIFE, a Civil Society Organisation that works with Youths, Falana Adeola, said the programme was a helpful one to jeer up youths to their responsibilities. She advised the youths not to participate in negative vices but to come and vote.
“Your vote is your power”,she concluded. 
