Wike-Backed PDP Mobilises Youths Against Voter Apathy

The Wike-backed National Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb. Ibrahim Bala-Aboki, has unveiled a youth skills-development initiative expected to train thousands of young Nigerians and called on youths to take a more active role in politics and democratic governance by shunning voter apathy.

Bala-Aboki made the call on Wednesday in Abuja while speaking at an event organised by his office to mark the 2026 International Youth Day at Wadata Plaza.

The event, held under the global theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” brought together PDP leaders, youth leaders, stakeholders and young members of the party.

Bala-Aboki, who enjoys the backing of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, said his office, within its first 100 days, had focused on mobilisation, inclusion, empowerment, participation and grassroots development, with the objective of giving young people a stronger voice and greater stake in the affairs of the party.

He said his office had mobilised PDP youths and female youths to participate in ward, local government and state congresses leading to the party’s National Convention held on March 29 and 30, 2026.

According to him, young people were also included in various convention committees and sub-committees.

Bala-Aboki said that since becoming the statutory National Youth Leader, his office had encouraged young party members to aspire to elective and party positions, while stakeholder engagements contributed to the emergence of several youth candidates whose names, he said, were certified by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He added that the office had also mobilised youths and female youths for the PDP and INEC e-registration exercises, which he said contributed to increased youth participation and membership registration in several states.

The PDP youth leader further disclosed that his office had organised a reception in honour of the party’s National Chairman, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed Takushara, as part of efforts to promote party unity and leadership engagement.

He said the office had also introduced initiatives such as a Special Award of Excellence for party dignitaries and the Annual PDP Youth Carnival to institutionalise youth recognition and participation.

Bala-Aboki listed the hosting of PDP youth leaders from the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and the six geopolitical zones as another milestone, saying the engagement provided a platform for consultation, coordination and direct communication among youth leaders.

Advertisement

He said the PDP National Youth Leadership Consultative Forum had also been inaugurated to bring together youth leaders, female youths and deputy national officers for consultation, coordination and policy dialogue.

The youth leader disclosed that the party had commenced the revalidation and fresh registration of PDP youth support groups nationwide, aimed at identifying genuine supporters and strengthening grassroots mobilisation.

He also announced the inauguration of the PDP Female Youth Wing, describing it as an initiative designed to ensure that young women were not merely participants in politics but active leaders and decision-makers.

According to him, the vision is to establish an executive structure from the national level to the ward level, with a proposed network of 144,315 executive members of the PDP Female Youth Wing nationwide.

Bala-Aboki also announced a youth skills-development initiative being undertaken in collaboration with Destiny Hotshot Synergy International.

He said 100 youths would be trained under a Train-the-Trainers programme, with beneficiaries expected to subsequently train 50 youths in each of the 774 local government areas.

Under the model, the initial 100 trainees would train 50 youths in each of the 774 local government areas, creating a potential reach of 38,700 direct trainees at the grassroots.

Advertisement

He said the programme would focus on vocational and entrepreneurial skills, including photography, shoemaking, duvet making, hair cream production, soap making, shampoo production, air freshener production and aftershave production.

He said the initiative was designed to promote self-reliance, entrepreneurship, job creation and sustainable livelihoods among young Nigerians.

Bala-Aboki, while commending the support of PDP National Leader, Chief Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, also acknowledged the guidance of the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the support of the National Chairman.

He urged young Nigerians to move beyond demands for inclusion to active participation in political and democratic processes.

“This is the time for action, not docility; time for greater momentum, not murmurs,” he said.

He added that the future of the PDP and Nigerian democracy depended significantly on how effectively young people were engaged, empowered and prepared for leadership.

Also speaking at the event, the PDP National Director of Administration, Arthur Bruno Ekwelem, PhD, said increased youth participation in elections could help address voter apathy in Nigeria.

Delivering a keynote address titled, “How Youth Participation in Election Processes Can Curb Voter Apathy in Nigeria,” Ekwelem described voter apathy as one of the significant challenges confronting the country’s democratic development.

Advertisement

He said many eligible Nigerians, particularly young people, register to vote but fail to complete the electoral process by collecting their Permanent Voter Cards or turning out to vote on Election Day.

According to him, voter apathy could be driven by distrust in political leaders and institutions, fear of electoral violence, economic hardship, misinformation and disinformation, inadequate civic education, logistical challenges and the perception that individual votes cannot make a difference.

Ekwelem said young Nigerians, given their numerical strength, energy, creativity and capacity to mobilise, had the potential to transform the country’s electoral landscape.

He maintained that democracy thrives on participation, warning that when citizens withdraw from the electoral process, they surrender part of their democratic power to others.

He therefore called for greater youth involvement in voter registration, civic education, election monitoring, political mobilisation and voting.

The PDP official said empowering young people to understand and participate in electoral processes would not only help reduce voter apathy but also strengthen democratic institutions and promote greater accountability.

In his closing remarks, Bala-Aboki urged PDP youths to mobilise Nigerians to reject voter apathy, stressing that every voter had a role to play in shaping the country’s future.

Advertisement

“The time is now, not tomorrow. The PDP youths are determined to mobilise other Nigerians to shun voter apathy in Nigeria. Every voter is a leader. Together, let us shape and forge our chosen future,” he said.

He added that youth inclusion should be viewed not as a favour but as an investment in the future of the PDP and Nigeria.