Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Arewa Youth Forum (AYF) has officially pledged its support for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), commending the Commission's efforts in strengthening Nigeria's electoral process and expressing its readiness to collaborate on voter education and civic mobilisation ahead of future elections. The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by a delegation of the Forum, led by its Board of Trustees Chairman, Alhaji Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu, to the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, at the Commission's Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, June 25, 2026.
Speaking during the visit, Alhaji Gujungu reaffirmed the Forum's confidence in the Commission and its determination to promote public trust in the electoral process. He commended INEC for its resilience in conducting elections and acknowledged improvements in election management, logistics and the deployment of technology to enhance electoral credibility. According to him, the Forum would continue to advocate for objective assessment of the Commission's activities and discourage attempts to undermine public confidence in the nation's electoral institution through misinformation and politically motivated narratives.
The AYF also proposed a strategic partnership with the Commission in the areas of voter education and civic engagement. The Forum offered to mobilise its extensive youth network across Northern Nigeria to support grassroots sensitisation programmes aimed at encouraging informed participation in elections, promoting peaceful conduct and discouraging electoral malpractice. In addition, the delegation proposed the establishment of a structured feedback mechanism through which observations from polling units and election stakeholders could be documented and shared with the Commission to support continuous improvement in election administration.
Responding, the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, expressed appreciation for the visit and the Forum's commitment to strengthening democratic governance in Nigeria. He noted that the active involvement of young people and civic organisations remains critical to the growth and sustainability of the country's democracy.
The Arewa Youth Forum, established in 2001, is a dynamic, non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering young people across northern Nigeria through education, economic development, peacebuilding, and social advocacy. The Forum's pledge of support to INEC is the latest in a series of engagements with the Commission aimed at strengthening democratic governance and promoting public trust in the electoral process. This visit follows earlier expressions of confidence in INEC's leadership. In April 2026, the Arewa Youth Forum, alongside the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Youth Movement, passed a vote of confidence on INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, rejecting calls for his removal by some Nigerians based in the United Kingdom. The group has consistently urged Nigerians to sustain their confidence in Amupitan's leadership, citing the orderly and credible conduct of the FCT Area Council elections.
The partnership proposal comes at a critical time as INEC intensifies efforts to combat voter apathy and strengthen democratic participation ahead of Nigeria's 2027 general elections. The Commission has recently rolled out updated voter education materials, including a revised National Voter Education Manual and a youth-oriented Civic and Voter Education Manual aimed at fostering informed civic engagement, particularly among young Nigerians. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to address declining voter turnout and ensure that citizens are well-informed about the electoral process.
The AYF's offer to mobilise its extensive youth network across Northern Nigeria for grassroots sensitisation programmes is particularly significant given the region's large youth population and the historical challenges of voter education in remote and underserved communities. The Forum's proposal to establish a structured feedback mechanism through which observations from polling units and election stakeholders could be documented and shared with INEC represents a practical approach to continuous improvement in election administration.
The visit also comes amid growing concerns about the spread of misinformation and politically motivated narratives that could undermine public confidence in Nigeria's electoral institutions. The AYF's commitment to advocating for objective assessment of INEC's activities and discouraging attempts to undermine public confidence through misinformation is a timely intervention that aligns with the Commission's own efforts to enhance transparency and accountability.
For the Arewa Youth Forum, this partnership represents an opportunity to deepen its engagement with democratic governance and position itself as a key stakeholder in Nigeria's electoral process. The Forum's extensive network across Northern Nigeria, combined with its focus on youth empowerment and civic education, makes it a valuable partner for INEC as the Commission prepares for the 2027 general elections.
For INEC, the partnership with the AYF offers a chance to leverage the Forum's grassroots reach and youth engagement to enhance voter education and civic mobilisation across Northern Nigeria. The Commission has consistently emphasised the importance of collaboration with civil society organisations and youth groups in strengthening democratic governance and ensuring that elections are credible, transparent, and inclusive.
The meeting concluded with both parties expressing optimism about the proposed partnership and a commitment to deepening their engagement in the coming months. As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, the collaboration between INEC and the Arewa Youth Forum represents a positive step towards building a more informed, engaged, and participatory electorate.
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