Arewa Group Backs INEC, Vows To Boost Voter Participation

The Arewa Youth Forum (AYF) has pledged its support for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), expressing confidence in the Commission’s efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system while seeking collaboration 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 (BoT) Chairman, Alhaji Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu, to the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Speaking during the visit, Gujungu commended INEC for its resilience in conducting elections across the country and acknowledged improvements in election management, logistics, and the deployment of technology aimed at enhancing electoral credibility.

He reaffirmed the Forum’s confidence in the electoral body and pledged continued support for initiatives that promote public trust in Nigeria’s democratic process.

According to him, the Forum would continue to encourage objective assessment of the Commission’s activities while discouraging attempts to erode public confidence in the nation’s electoral institution through misinformation and politically motivated narratives.

“The Forum remains committed to supporting efforts that strengthen confidence in the electoral process and ensure that citizens receive accurate information about the work of the Commission,” Gujungu said.

As part of its proposals, the AYF sought a strategic partnership with INEC in the areas of voter education and civic engagement. The Forum offered to leverage 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.

The delegation also 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 improvements in election administration.

Responding, the chairman of INEC, Prof. Amupitan, expressed appreciation for the visit and the Forum’s commitment to democratic governance.

He noted that the active participation of young people and civic organisations remains essential to the growth and sustainability of democracy in Nigeria.

Amupitan briefed the delegation on the Commission’s preparations for forthcoming elections, highlighting ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional capacity, improve operational efficiency, and deepen stakeholder engagement.

The INEC Chairman also raised concerns over the growing challenge of misinformation and the misuse of emerging technologies to spread false narratives capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process.

He urged citizens to rely on verified information from official Commission channels and other credible sources.

While welcoming the Forum’s proposal for collaboration, Amupitan directed the Commission’s Voter Education and Publicity Department to engage with the group and explore areas of partnership that would strengthen voter education efforts, particularly at the grassroots level.

He thanked the delegation for what he described as constructive engagement and reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting credible, transparent, and inclusive elections in line with its constitutional mandate.

The meeting ended with both parties expressing a renewed commitment to working together to promote civic participation, voter awareness, and public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.