By Hassan Hussain
ABThe Africa Youth Growth Foundation, AYGF, has launched the Independent Nigerians Campaign, INC, aimed at increasing citizens’ participation in the electoral process and promoting democratic accountability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Launching the initiative in Abuja during a media briefing, the Executive Director of AYGF, Dr. Arome Salihu, said the campaign was designed to tackle voter apathy, discourage election-related violence, and strengthen civic engagement across the country.
Dr. Salihu noted that Nigeria recorded its lowest voter turnout in more than four decades during the 2023 general elections, with only 26.7 per cent of registered voters participating despite having the highest number of registered voters in the nation’s history.
He said the campaign would deepen civic and voter education, promote issue-based political participation, amplify the voices of young people, women and other marginalised groups, and encourage citizens to remain actively engaged in governance beyond election periods.
According to him, the Independent Nigerians Campaign is a non-partisan citizens’ movement and is not affiliated with any political party or candidate.
Dr. Salihu explained that the initiative would be implemented through nationwide awareness campaigns, town hall meetings, stakeholder engagements, traditional and social media outreach, as well as targeted youth mobilisation programmes.
He said the campaign also seeks to increase voter turnout by at least 15 per cent before the 2027 general elections by encouraging every Nigerian to mobilise at least five eligible voters within their families, workplaces and communities.
The AYGF Executive Director called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, government institutions, civil society organisations, development partners, the media, traditional rulers, faith-based organisations, the private sector and other stakeholders to support the campaign in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
Dr. Salihu stressed that democracy thrives on active citizen participation, urging Nigerians to move from apathy to engagement by participating in elections, demanding accountability from elected leaders, and contributing to national development.
He described the launch of the Independent Nigerians Campaign as the beginning of a nationwide movement to restore public confidence in the democratic process and inspire greater civic responsibility among Nigerians.
