In preparation for the forthcoming general 2023 general elections, young people in Nigeria have responded positively to the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise and Youth Vote Count concert organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in collaboration with YIAGA and the EU, which took place from 20th-25th June 2022 to increase the number of registered voters before the end of the registration deadline of 30th June 2022.
In the past, many thought that Nigerian youths were not interested in politics, but the data shows a huge turnaround.
Our ‘ClickNaija’ crew went out on Friday, 24th June 2022, to the Old Parade Ground Area 10, Garki, Abuja, where the exercise took place to find out why there has been a powerful tilt, especially in the number of young people wanting to register.
There were huge crowds – made up of mainly youths – struggling to gain entrance into the registration center as security men at the gate struggled to maintain order.
ClickNaija reporters got some of the youths to talk about why they were eager to vote this time around, and what changes they wanted to see in leadership.
There was a similar exercise earlier in the month from 6th to 10th June 2022, at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos State, for the Youth Vote Count 2.0 Mega concert (YVC 2.0). Nigerian Celebrities came out to speak in one voice and put up a free performance to encourage youth turnout.
According to INEC’s schedule, the CVR exercise is expected to end on 30th June, 2022, although there has been pressure from several quarters – including the House of Representatives – to extend for another 60 days.
Story: Ralia Adama