As the 2023 general election approaches, celebrities in the entertainment industry are urging Nigerian youths to obtain permanent voter cards.
Celebrities recently headlined the concert ‘Youth votes count 2.0’ organised by the European Union (EU) in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other key stakeholders as part of efforts to ensure that the Nigerian youths participate and engage more with the electoral process.
Celebrities like Falz, Mr. Macaroni, Broda Shaggi, Toyin Abraham, and many others were present at the concert which held at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) on Saturday.
Mr. Macaroni said, “It is conventional wisdom that we do not set fire in our own house. We need to stay focused and keep our eyes on what really matters, the prosperity of our nation. Wake up! We have to stay awake, so we don’t fall into the trap. This Nigeria na our own, we no go leave am for people make em fix am for us, na we go fix am by ourselves.”
Falz also said, “Our people were killed at the Lekki toll gate during the #EndSARS protest on October 20, 2020. We have not forgotten, and we will never forget. They are killing us every day. You can see what happened in Ondo, Kaduna and Sokoto States. Please, it is important to get your PVC. Please we will not forget. Our PVC is our power.”
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), about 4.5 million Nigerian youths between the ages of 18 and 34 registered for the first time in the continuous voters’ registration (CVR) to collect their permanent voters’ card (PVC) as at May 30. This figure accounted for 69.5 percent of completed registrations for first-time voters.
Read also: Lagos PVC Clash: PDP blames APC government
This shows that the campaigns are beginning to gain momentum months ahead of the 2023 elections, and as it advances more and more youths are realizing the potential role they have to play in deciding who leads the nation in a manner where their voices can be heard.
Nigerian artist Peter Okoye popularly known as Mr P tweeted recently, “I have just instructed my security and my management that no one is allowed to visit my house or my office without showing their PVC! This also includes my management team and entourage! No PVC! No Visits and Travels!… We must get it right this time.”
He also added “For the very first time I see Nigerian youth turning out this much to get their PVC! Baba God don pick our calls o. For the fact that politicians have failed, Nigerians don’t mean you should sit down and say we should not take back our country. Go get your PVC, the time is now. At least vote and have the right to condemn when things aren’t going right! Their rice and 1k must fail them this time around. If they try to buy you for 1k naira to vote for them, tell them you also deserve the $40,000 they gave each delegate. Since dem think say them get sense. Go and get your Pvc Enough is Enough!
Daniel Agbaje, one of the people that came out for registration at the concert said, “With such actions, these celebrities are not only urging their fans to be part of the desired change in Nigeria but also inspiring them to think of a future where youth participation in governance will not be up for debate. We are going out to vote and will prove that we are not just noise makers on social media but are walking the talk.”
Music stars 2baba, Simi, Pasuma, Falz, Mr P, Timi Dakolo, Slimcase, and others join voices to condom vote-buying on the “No shishi 4 Bribe” track. Each track artist tasks Nigerians to resist the urge to sell their vote.
“Voting is a civic right that can strengthen or kill development in Nigeria. It is your power to demand good roads, jobs, healthcare, quality education, and good leaders. When you sell your vote, you sell your voice as a citizen” 2baba said.
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