By Ameh Gabriel
The Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has called on African youths to take center stage in championing peaceful, credible, and inclusive elections across the continent.
Speaking during a lecture at the Civil Service University in The Gambia on Tuesday, April 15, Prof. Yakubu addressed students of International Affairs and Peace Studies, emphasizing that the future of Africa’s democracy lies in the hands of its young people.
“Young people form the backbone of election duty staff,” he noted, adding that youth engagement spans key areas of the electoral process, including voter registration, logistics coordination, election monitoring, and civic education.
Prof. Yakubu also warned against the dangers of electoral malpractice, urging students to resist political manipulation, avoid spreading misinformation, and act as responsible digital citizens during electoral cycles.
“Don’t be among the fake news merchants,” he cautioned. “Report elections truthfully and responsibly. Africa needs young people to protect the integrity of its democratic processes.”
Highlighting the increasingly central role youths play in shaping political narratives, the INEC Chairman reminded the students that democratic progress cannot be achieved without their commitment to doing what is right.
“Obey the laws, stand for the truth, and defend democracy with sincerity and patriotism. That is how we make every vote count,” he concluded.
The lecture served as part of broader efforts to encourage youth involvement in governance, especially at a time when misinformation, political violence, and voter apathy continue to threaten democratic stability across parts of the continent.
Prof. Yakubu’s message reinforces the growing recognition that Africa’s democratic future will be defined not only by its institutions but by the civic consciousness of its youthful population.
