Anambra Guber: Voter Apathy Ruining Zik, Ekwueme, Ojukwu, Others’ legacies – LEAP Africa
By Praise Chinecherm
LEAP Africa has lamented growing voter apathy, especially among youths in Anambra state, blaming it on trust deficit and insecurity.
Programmes and Policy Coordinator, Haruna Godiya stated this on Thursday at the Stakeholders Forum and Press Briefing under the Campaign Against Voter Apathy (CAVA) project.
The project themed: Strengthening Citizens Participation in the 2025 Anambra Gubernatorial Elections is in partnership with Catch Them Young Community Initiative (CATYCOI).
Godiya regretted that the apathy was not only threatening foundation of democratic system in Nigeria, but rendering efforts of founding fathers futile.
He stressed the need for conscious, deliberate and intentional effort towards solving problem associated with elections in the best interests of nation’s democracy.
He said, “The CAVA project was borne out of passion and drive to improve the active participation of all citizens in especially Youth, women, PWDs and vulnerable groups to lead change.
“The project was also aimed at contributing to nation building through relevant conversations, collaborations and co-creation exercise.
“While we have achieved significant progress in some areas such as the use of Bi-modal Verification Accreditation System (BVAS) and other digital systems, a daunting challenge has been some social challenges such as Trust Deficit, Insecurity and others.
“Summarily, be the change you want to see, fully participate and be part of the process so that efforts of our heroes past such as Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Chief Nwafor Orizu, Chief Alex Ekwueme, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and Dora Akunyuli and others will not be in vain.”
Executive Director, CATYCOI, Nonso Orakwe said the advocacy was to renew the group’s collective commitment to ensuring that eligible citizen were empowered to vote and believe that their vote truly counts.
“As we approach the 2025 Anambra Gubernatorial Elections, we are reminded that democracy thrives not merely through the existence of elections, but through the active involvement, trust, and confidence of the people in the electoral process.
“Unfortunately, in recent years, we have witnessed growing voter apathy, declining turnout, and waning public trust challenges that threaten the very foundation of our democratic system.
“Today’s advocacy brief is, therefore, both a call to action and a moment for reflection. It is a call to renew our collective commitment to ensuring that every eligible citizen feels empowered to vote and believes that their vote truly counts.
“Through CAVA, we aim to strengthen civic awareness, build trust in democratic institutions, and mobilize citizens, especially the youth, women, and marginalized communities, to take ownership of their electoral destiny.
“Our democracy can only be as strong as the participation it inspires.
“Together, let us make the 2025 Anambra Governorship Election a turning point, one marked by informed participation, peaceful engagement, and renewed faith in the power of the ballot.”
Also speaking, Public Relations Officer of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Edwin Okadigbo assured the Corps’ preparedness to protect the citizens before, during and after the election, urging voters to come out enmass to vote candidates of their choice.
He however appealed to the youths not to be used by desperate politicians to disrupt the smooth conduct of the election.
“Stay safe on the side of the law , mobile other Youths exercise your franchise,” he added.
State Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD), Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke revealed that no fewer than 1000 of his members would be participating in the exercise.
“We’re going to use our number to make political statement during the election so we can make our demands after the election.
“If it has reached you, it has not passed you,” he said.
Other stakeholders present at the meeting were National Orientation Agencies (NOA), Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
