INEC inaugurates youth ambassadors, seeks stronger participation ahead of 2027

Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has inaugurated a new cohort of Youth Ambassadors as part of efforts to strengthen its engagement with young Nigerians and promote informed, peaceful and responsible participation in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The investiture ceremony brought together National Commissioners, senior officials of the Commission, representatives of government agencies, development partners, returning Youth Ambassadors and newly selected ambassadors.

Welcoming participants, the Chairman of the Outreach and Partnership Committee (OPC), Prof. Kunle Ajayi, described the initiative as a platform for strengthening the relationship between INEC and young Nigerians, whom he identified as an important constituency in Nigeria’s electoral process.

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Ajayi said the appointment of the Youth Ambassadors was not merely the conferment of a title but a mandate carrying responsibility.

He urged the ambassadors to use their influence to strengthen electoral participation, promote peaceful conduct and ensure that young Nigerians have access to accurate information about the electoral process.

Representing the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, at the ceremony, National Commissioner Prof. Rhoda Gumus said the Commission recognised the leadership, influence and capacity of the new Youth Ambassadors to engage other young Nigerians.

She said Nigeria’s large youth population had significant implications for democracy and elections, adding that the numerical strength of young Nigerians could only become meaningful when matched by informed, organised and responsible participation.

Gumus urged the ambassadors to go beyond encouraging young Nigerians to vote and instead listen to the reasons for disengagement from the electoral process, including lack of information, distrust, political frustration, previous experiences and misunderstanding of electoral procedures.

She also charged them to help address misinformation and disinformation, particularly on social media, urging them to adopt the principle: “Verify before you amplify.”

The INEC representative warned against the manipulation of young people for electoral violence, saying young Nigerians recruited into violent activities often become victims through death, injuries, arrest and the destruction of their future.

“Do not allow anyone to use your youth against your future,” she said, stressing that political competition should never require young Nigerians to fight, destroy or kill one another.

Gumus further encouraged the ambassadors to promote constructive engagement between young voters, political parties and candidates by encouraging young Nigerians to ask questions about issues affecting their lives, including employment, education, security, economic opportunities and skills development.