Hon. Usman Abdulrahim, the Senior Special Assistant on Grassroots Mobilization to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi state, has emphasized on the need for the people of the state to see their votes as an instrument to develop their community.
In a statement on Friday, he appealed to the eligible people of Kogi state, at home and in diaspora, to participate on the ongoing voters registration exercises.
“We don’t need miracle to elect our representative and develop our state, the power of our vote is more than a miracle. You need to vote to elect who represents you It gives you the choice to vote for your local and national representatives, if you don’t vote, other people get to choose who represents you,” he said.
Hon. Usman Abdulrahim expressed confidence in the administration of Governor Usman Ododo saying that Kogi state has experienced tremendous development under his administration whom he said prioritized the interest of the people over his own interest.
“His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo is a symbol of development, peace, unity and progress. For continuity of his good job we all need to rally around him and support him and let our vote represent his continuity.
“We should not deprive ourselves from enjoying one of the most important right we have as a citizen which is the right to vote and be voted for in an election.
“We should not fail to understand the important and power of our vote, we can use our vote to shape our future and the future generations,” he stated.
Hon. Usman Abdulrahim called for the need for participatory election across ward, local and state level. He opined that election is beyond just voting, stressing that participatory election helps in fostering a more engaged and informed electorate.
“You can not be agitating for good governance without voters card when you can actually get your PVC to do the job for you. In a democratic world leaders does not emerge from the sky, leaders emerge through an election through the power of the people’s vote.”
He expressed concerns over lack of youth involvement in an election and emphasized on the important of youth participation in elections that it is crucial for a vibrant and representative democracy.
“It ensures that young people have a voice in decisions that affect their lives, promotes inclusivity, and fosters a sense of ownership in the political process. Increased youth engagement can lead to policies that better reflect the needs and priorities of younger generations and can also help to build more stable and peaceful societies, the future of this country is in the hands of the youths as they are the leaders of tomorrow,” he added.
