2027: Zamfara Group Moves to Curb Vote Buying, Youth Violence

From Babangida Abdullahi, Gusau

The Democracy Drivers Network has mobilised more than 200 youths in Zamfara State to discourage vote buying, political thuggery and other electoral malpractices ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The sensitisation programme brought together youth leaders from different organisations, including student union representatives, to discuss ways of promoting peaceful participation in the electoral process and preventing a recurrence of electoral violence witnessed in previous elections.

Speaking at the event, one of the resource persons said the participants were sensitised on the need to vote according to their convictions and the developmental needs of their communities rather than sentiments or political affiliations.

He said voters must conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly before, during and after the elections to ensure a smooth electoral process.

According to him, political choices are matters of personal conviction, which must be respected, adding that political supporters should persuade others through constructive arguments rather than intimidation or violence.

He also urged young people, particularly first-time voters, to overcome voter apathy and participate actively in the 2027 elections.

Addressing the issue of financial inducement, which often makes youths and women vulnerable during elections, the resource person urged participants to weigh immediate financial benefits against the long-term development needs of their communities.

He challenged them to consider whether N50,000, N100,000, a pack of spaghetti or a measure of rice could compensate for the absence of good roads, adequate drugs in hospitals and qualified teachers in schools.

He said the exercise encouraged participants to understand that elections should be about securing lasting benefits for their communities rather than accepting temporary gains from politicians.

The State Coordinator of the Democracy Drivers Network, Jibril Abubakar Sadiq, said the programme was designed to draw lessons from previous elections and develop strategies to prevent youths from being recruited for political violence.

He said the network deliberately engaged representatives of different youth organisations and student unions because of their influence and capacity to mobilise young people at the grassroots.

Sadiq said the participants were expected to take the message to their respective organisations and communities, particularly on the dangers of political thuggery, vote buying and other electoral offences.

He warned that politicians often exploit unemployed and vulnerable youths by offering them money to engage in violence, leaving them to bear the consequences of their actions.

“Politicians will use them and give them money, but that money will not even sustain them for one day. We want to enlighten them to shun these activities because they are very bad,” he said.

The coordinator disclosed that the network invited 40 youth leaders from different organisations, while more than 200 youths attended the programme.

He expressed optimism that the participants would serve as ambassadors of peaceful elections by extending the campaign to their respective communities and encouraging their colleagues to reject political violence.