AOIYEO Sensitises FCT Youths Ahead of Election, Calls for Peaceful Poll and Greater Indigenous Inclusion

The Abuja Original Inhabitants and Youths Empowerment Organization (AOIYEO), in collaboration with key stakeholders, has launched a sensitisation campaign to promote a peaceful, free, fair and credible election within the FCT Youths Network.

The initiative, which featured a town hall meeting in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sought to educate young people on the importance of peaceful participation in the forthcoming youth election while advocating greater inclusion of indigenous FCT residents in governance.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of AOIYEO, Ambassador Isaac David, urged youths across the FCT to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the election.

The programme, themed “Indigenous Youths and Governance: Strengthening Indigenous Voices,” brought together youth leaders, community representatives and stakeholders to discuss youth participation, democratic values and leadership.

David encouraged eligible youths to participate actively in the electoral process without resorting to violence, intimidation or other forms of misconduct.

> “I call on all FCT youths to participate in the election peacefully. Let us reject violence, intimidation and any action capable of undermining the credibility of the process. We must ensure that the outcome is accepted by all contestants,” he said.

The AOIYEO Executive Director also appealed to the FCT Administration and the Federal Government to provide greater opportunities for indigenous youths and original inhabitants of the territory through appointments and policy inclusion.

According to him, the FCT is home to many qualified and capable young people who can contribute meaningfully to national development if given the opportunity.

“We have competent men and women in the FCT with the capacity to excel in public service. We therefore urge the authorities to ensure that indigenous people are adequately represented in government appointments and decision-making processes,” he said.

David acknowledged what he described as improvements under the current administration but maintained that indigenous people of the FCT deserved increased representation in public offices.

He reiterated the long-standing demand for democratic reforms that would allow residents of the FCT to elect their own governor and legislators.

He explained that the sensitisation exercise targeted youths from the FCT’s 858 communities, including selected ward coordinators, ahead of the election of youth leaders at both the FCT and Area Council levels.

According to him, the orientation was designed to discourage electoral violence, vote trading and other undemocratic practices while fostering unity among both indigenous and non-indigenous residents.

David also noted that the campaign forms part of preparations for the forthcoming International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, during which FCT natives intend to further advocate for greater recognition of their rights and interests.

Also speaking, FCT stakeholder Hon. Abubakar Sadiq Ahmed described young people as the hope of society and urged them to demonstrate discipline, respect for constituted authority and commitment to civic responsibility.

“Our young population represents the aspirations and future of our society. We must continue to mentor and support them to become responsible leaders,” Ahmed said.

He further advised youths to reject religious and ethnic sentiments during the election, stressing that every eligible contestant should have equal opportunities regardless of tribe or religion.

Ahmed said the workshop was organised to strengthen unity, fairness and peaceful coexistence among all residents of the Federal Capital Territory.

The AOIYEO sensitisation campaign is expected to continue across the FCT as preparations intensify for the forthcoming FCT Youths Network election.