Anambra elections: group tasks youth to vote massively

As the November 18 Governorship elections in Anambra state draws close, youths have been charged to come out en mass and vote their respective ‎candidates.

The charge was given by a youth-focused ‎Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the League of Progressives Ambassadors of Nigeria (LEPAN), during a seminar on the topic “Overcoming the Challenges of Voter Apathy Among the Youths” at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam Campus, Anambra state, with the theme, #1Vote.

The group called on the youths to turn out in their numbers to vote during the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State.

LEPAN’s President, Chuckwudi Anyawuocha, spoke on the topic Overcoming the Challenges of Voter Apathy Among the Youths, said the youths cannot continue to complain when they refuse to come out to vote. He urged them to vote because that was the only way they could make a genuine demand from the political system.

In similar opinion, the Programme Officer of LEPAN Olalekan Adigun, said the timing of the event was deliberate considering the fact that the gubernatorial election in the state is just weeks away. He also said COOU was chosen because the institution boasts of the largest population of young Anambrarians in the state who are the target of the programme.

The seminar also had series of engaging political enlightenment activities which included: debate competition, dance competition, awards to exceptionally brilliant students and lots more.

In the thrilling debate on the topic “Compulsory Voting: To Be or Not to Be?” the students displayed their creative abilities with their sound understanding of the democratic process and the electoral law. The winner of the debate, Miss Favour, who argued against the introduction of compulsory voting in Nigeria won the debate with 78 per cent while Mr Steve of the Department of Political Science and well-known public speaker in the University won the second prize with 56 per cent. Both winners went home with cash prizes from the organizers. Other participants went home with consolation prizes and other gift items.
On his part,

One of the participant at the event, Mr. Jude Iloh said that the event was organised for Youths to fight against voting apathy in students and also give youths a decision so as not to make mistake in choosing a leader in the forthcoming election. He added that the #1Vote movement was used to create democratic awareness among the Youth in the state.

The #1Vote is a movement aimed at getting every single vote to count.