Key Takeaways
- PDP warns youth voter apathy is undermining Nigerian democracy.
- Young Nigerians make up over 60 per cent of the population but remain underrepresented at the polls.
- Unemployment, distrust, and high election costs are major barriers.
- PDP will train 100 youth trainers to reach thousands across all 774 local government areas.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned that voter apathy among young Nigerians is weakening the country’s democracy. At its 2026 International Youth Day programme in Abuja, it urged youths to turn their numerical strength into electoral power.
Why Youth Must Show Up
PDP National Director of Administration, Arthur Ekwelem, said young Nigerians have the numbers, energy, and digital influence to transform the electoral landscape. When citizens withdraw from elections, he warned, they surrender their democratic power.
"Democracy thrives on participation. When citizens withdraw from the electoral process, they surrender part of their democratic power to others," Ekwelem said.
Barriers to Participation
The party cited distrust in leaders, fear of electoral violence, economic hardship, misinformation, and weak civic education as reasons young Nigerians stay away from the polls.
Economic Pressure and Limited Opportunity
Speaking for former Jigawa governor Sule Lamido, PDP Gombe candidate Isah Pantami described youths as vanguards of change. But unemployment, an outdated education system, and the rising cost of living are holding them back.
He saw opportunities in the creative industry, digital economy, artificial intelligence, and smart agriculture, but said many young people cannot access them.
The Real Cost of Running
He also criticised the gap between the 'Not Too Young To Run' law and the reality of seeking office. Nomination fees and campaign costs make political participation difficult.
"Not too young to run ... is only about an academic work where we have a law in place," Pantami said.
Call for Young Women
PDP Female Youth Wing Director-General, Hon. Loveth Izekor, urged young women to become decision-makers, not just mobilised voters. She called for more funding, training, and tickets.
"Democracy dies when youth are silent. We must move from being mobilised to being decision-makers," Izekor said.
PDP’s Action Plan
National Youth Leader, Amb. Ibrahim Bala-Aboki, said the party is mobilising youths for congresses, INEC e-registration, and elective posts. He announced a skills programme to train 100 trainers, each expected to train 50 more across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
"This is the time for action, not docility; time for valued alacrity, not void alarms; time for greater momentum, not murmurs," Bala-Aboki said.
Why This Matters
Young Nigerians have the demographic weight to shape their democracy. Staying silent at the ballot box leaves that future in someone else’s hands.