As the July 10 deadline for voter registration approaches, the Youth Wing of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Rivers State has intensified efforts to mobilise eligible voters, particularly young people, to participate in the ongoing voter registration exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The call formed the central focus of discussions during the party’s first Youth Congress Meeting held in Port Harcourt, where youth leaders, party officials, and stakeholders gathered to strategise on expanding voter participation across the state.
The meeting brought together representatives from the 23 local government areas of Rivers State and served as a platform for party leaders to outline plans aimed at increasing grassroots engagement and encouraging eligible citizens to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
At the heart of the deliberations was the urgent need to ensure that eligible voters are not excluded from the democratic process due to failure to register before the deadline. Party officials stressed that voter registration remains a critical first step for citizens seeking to influence governance and shape the political future of the state and the nation.
Addressing participants, party leaders charged youth coordinators and local government representatives to return to their communities and intensify sensitisation campaigns. They urged them to educate residents on the importance of registering to vote and to encourage supporters of the party and other eligible Nigerians to take advantage of the registration exercise before it closes.
According to speakers at the congress, young people constitute a significant percentage of the electorate and therefore have a vital role to play in determining the direction of governance in the country. They noted that active participation in the electoral process begins with voter registration and possession of a valid Permanent Voter Card.
Several party officials who spoke during the meeting emphasised that voter apathy remains one of the greatest challenges to democratic participation in Nigeria. They argued that many citizens often express dissatisfaction with governance but fail to utilise the electoral process as a tool for effecting change.
The officials therefore called on youths to become ambassadors of voter education within their various communities, schools, markets, religious centres, and social groups.
Speaking during the congress, the party’s Non-Indigenes Coordinator, Prosper Olleanya, underscored the importance of the ongoing voter registration exercise and urged all eligible residents of Rivers State, irrespective of ethnic or regional background, to register and secure their voting rights.
He stressed that democracy thrives when citizens actively participate in choosing their leaders and holding elected officials accountable through the ballot box.
Olleanya noted that the approaching deadline leaves little time for procrastination and appealed to those who have yet to register to do so immediately. He further encouraged party supporters to assist in spreading awareness about registration centres and procedures to ensure that no eligible voter is left behind.
The meeting also featured discussions on strategies for expanding the party’s presence across Rivers State and enhancing youth participation in political activities. Participants expressed optimism that increased voter registration would strengthen democratic engagement and encourage greater accountability among public office holders.
In a major announcement that generated excitement among attendees, the State Youth Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Tonwe Nelson, unveiled plans for a massive voter awareness campaign in the form of a 500,000-man sensitisation march scheduled to take place next week.
According to Nelson, the march is designed to create widespread awareness about the importance of voter registration and electoral participation among young people and other eligible citizens.
He explained that the initiative would bring together thousands of youths from across Rivers State in a peaceful demonstration of civic responsibility and democratic commitment. The march, he said, will also serve as a platform for educating the public on the need to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and actively participate in future elections.
Nelson expressed confidence that the campaign would significantly boost registration figures across the state and inspire more young people to become involved in shaping Nigeria’s democratic future.
“We want to ensure that every eligible young person understands the power of their vote. Democracy works best when citizens participate actively, and voter registration is the first step toward meaningful political engagement,” he said.
The youth leader further noted that the NDC remains committed to empowering young Nigerians and creating opportunities for them to contribute meaningfully to governance and nation-building.
Meanwhile, speaking in an interview with Channels Television, the Governorship Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Rivers State, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, also lent his voice to the voter mobilisation campaign.
Lulu-Briggs, who disclosed that he has been officially confirmed as the party’s governorship flagbearer and is awaiting his Certificate of Return, urged Nigerians to treat voter registration as a civic responsibility and a powerful instrument for democratic change.
According to him, meaningful transformation in governance can only be achieved when citizens actively participate in the electoral process and make their voices heard through the ballot.
He described voter registration as the most powerful democratic tool available to ordinary citizens, stressing that the future of governance rests largely in the hands of those who choose to exercise their voting rights.
Lulu-Briggs encouraged young people, first-time voters, and all eligible Nigerians to take advantage of the registration window and ensure they are prepared to participate in the 2027 elections.
He further noted that political participation should not be limited to election periods alone but should involve continuous engagement with issues affecting communities and the nation as a whole.
As the July 10 voter registration deadline draws nearer, leaders of the Nigeria Democratic Congress say they will sustain aggressive grassroots mobilisation and awareness campaigns across Rivers State. The party believes that increased voter registration, particularly among youths, will strengthen democratic participation and empower citizens to play a more active role in determining the future direction of the country.
With preparations for the 2027 general elections gradually gathering momentum, the NDC leadership remains optimistic that its voter education initiatives will encourage more residents to register, obtain their PVCs, and participate fully in the democratic process.
