<\/p>\n
By Emmanuel Oloniruha<\/p>\n
A Nollywood actor, Mr Emmanuel Ikubese, has called on Nigerian youths to shun electoral violence and embrace peaceful participation in the 2027 general elections.<\/p>\n
Ikubese made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja, while speaking on the sidelines of the investiture of new Independent National Electoral Commission Youth Ambassadors (IYAs).<\/p>\n
The former Mr Nigeria also emphasised the need for active youth participation in civic duties, saying it remained the only sustainable path toward building and strengthening Nigeria\u2019s democracy.<\/p>\n
While reiterating his long-standing advocacy campaign: \u2018Vote with Thumb, Not Blood\u2019, Ikubese said political disagreements among young people should be settled at the ballot box rather than through violence, intimidation or online harassment.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am very big on not just peaceful election, but also non-election violence.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important for us to understand that we can disagree on candidacy. But it\u2019s important to choose our preferred candidate during elections at the electoral box.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is why we vote with thumb and not blood. It\u2019s not to do it violently.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not to do it any other way, but going at the time when the elections are here and voting with your thumb and nothing else. Not blood, not violence, not mocking, not insulting.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can disagree, but can we disagree to agree? If you have a choice, go and vote for your choice with thumb and not violence and not blood,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Addressing the issue of voter apathy among young Nigerians, the newly-appointed ambassador acknowledged that widespread mistrust and longer processes with the electoral system had kept many away from the polls.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a gap between the people and INEC, a sense of heartbreak where citizens feel that in spite of coming out in large numbers or enduring long processes to obtain their permanent voter cards (PVCs), their votes might not count,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He, however, urged citizens, especially the youth, to keep believing in the system and participate actively, stating: \u2018Your votes truly count\u2019.<\/p>\n
According to him, his primary responsibility as an INEC youth ambassador is to serve as a bi-directional bridge to rebuild confidence between the electoral umpire and the country\u2019s youth demography.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are here to interpret INEC\u2019s vision to young people and bring their concerns directly back to the commission.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re basically that bridge between the people and INEC, so that we can build that trust again, so that INEC hears the cry of the people because we are the people, and the people also understand where INEC is coming from.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we\u2019re like that bridge to make sure that young people understand and we can cement and build back that trust that the young people have lost for this very integral office in Nigeria,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Nollywood actor described his appointment as a privilege to champion electoral integrity, advocate for youth engagement and encourage Nigerians to exercise their fundamental right to vote.(NAN)<\/p>\n
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