The Unified Nigeria Youth Forum (UNYF) has urged the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prioritize accessibility, transparency, and institutional accountability as he assumes office.
National President of the Forum, Comrade Toriah Olajide Filani, made the call in a statement issued to journalists on Thursday, stressing that the credibility of future elections depends largely on how inclusive and accessible the voter registration process becomes under the new INEC leadership.
Filani expressed concern that millions of eligible Nigerians remain disenfranchised due to administrative bottlenecks and the limited accessibility of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). He noted that while INEC has introduced digital innovations, many citizens—particularly in rural areas—still lack access to the internet.
“In Lagos, for instance, people queue up as early as 2:00 a.m. just to get numbers for registration, yet many still go home unattended. Such experiences discourage participation and weaken public trust in the system,” he said.
The UNYF president lamented that in a country of nearly 300 million people, less than 50 million registered voters actively participate in elections, describing the figure as worrisome and unacceptable for a democracy of Nigeria’s size.
Filani urged the new INEC chairman to adopt a decentralized and people-friendly approach to registration and card collection to ensure that every eligible voter can exercise their civic rights without stress or exclusion.
Commenting on the recent gesture by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who provided residential houses for judges, Filani said while the initiative demonstrates respect for the judiciary, such projects should ordinarily be captured in the government’s budget to guarantee transparency and prevent misinterpretation.
“Every act of governance, no matter how noble, must follow due process. If the government intends to build houses for judges, it should be properly reflected in the national budget to maintain public confidence and accountability,” he added.
Filani reaffirmed the Forum’s commitment to supporting reforms that promote democratic participation, strengthen institutions, and ensure that governance remains transparent and inclusive for all Nigerians.
