Nigerian youths have been told not to sell their votes as doing so amounts to selling their tomorrow for their today. The warning formed the crux of a massively attended rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) youths held on Saturday in Ward 7, Ikpoba Okha local government, south of Benin City, the Edo State capital.

The aim of the rally was to sensitise young voters about the need for them to protect their voters cards as next year’s generally elections draw near.

There have been rumours making the rounds that many youths are already being promised financial rewards and employment by politicians if they give up their voters cards.

It is against this backdrop that the youth leaders of the APC in ward 7 of Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area decided to embark on an enlightenment rally and party to urge youths to be wise about the use of their voting power.

The rally which kicked off in the early hours of the morning and which climaxed at the local government Secretariat of the party was attended by some APC party executive members.

Kingsley Balogban, the secretary to ward 7 Ikpobha Okha local government APC, told News Express that he was very satisfied with the turn out at the rally adding: “We already heard that some people are trying to collect others party cards while promising them jobs and all that. What we are trying to tell the youths with this rally is not to sell their birthright. Don’t sell your tomorrow for today.”

While expressing his happiness with the success of the rally, the APC’s youths PRO of Zone 7 in Ikpoba Okha, Samuel Enahoro said youths need to have a change of attitude towards participating in elections.

“The youths need to have a say and to contribute to the development of the country. That’s why we are going round (to educate them on using their voters cards wisely,” Enahoro said.

•Photo by Nelson Dafe shows a group of APC youths during the ‘Don’t sell your voters card’ rally held south of Benin City last Saturday.

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