The party has asked its youth leaders in all 36 states and the FCT to organize programs in their states under the theme: ‘How Youth Political Participation Will Curb Voter Apathy in Nigeria.’ The goal is simple. Get more young people to register, show up on election day, and see themselves as part of the decision-making process.
PDP National Youth Leader, Amb. Ibrahim Bala-Aboki, said the decision to focus on youth engagement this year is deliberate. According to him, Nigeria’s democracy cannot grow if a large population of young people continue to stay away from the ballot.
He explained that the 2026 commemoration will be used to open honest conversations about why many young Nigerians feel disconnected from politics, and what can be done to bring them back in.
“The theme underscores the urgent need to deepen youth engagement in Nigeria’s democratic processes, particularly at a time when voter apathy remains a significant challenge to effective democratic participation,” Bala-Aboki said.
He added that beyond speeches, the activities will create space for young PDP members to discuss practical steps. Things like voter education, party mobilization, leadership training, and how to push for more youth candidates within the party structure.
This push, he noted, fits into the broader agenda of the PDP under National Chairman, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed Takushara, which has prioritized giving young people a real voice inside the party.
“The party leadership has continued to stress the importance of giving young Nigerians and PDP youths a stake in the affairs of the party,” Bala-Aboki stated.
Across the states, PDP youth leaders have been directed to organize town halls, rallies, sensitization walks, and media engagements. The idea is to make sure the conversation does not stay only in Abuja.
Party officials expect that state secretariats will be busy with youth-focused events throughout the week. Music, debates, panel discussions, and community outreach are all part of the plan to connect with young people where they are.
“PDP structures across the country are expected to come alive with youth-focused activities as the Party joins the global community in celebrating the strength, creativity and potential of young people,” the National Youth Leader said.
At the national level, the main event will be held in Abuja. The gathering is expected to bring together PDP leaders, youth stakeholders, civil society actors, political analysts, and other invited guests. Discussions will focus on barriers to youth participation, the impact of low turnout on governance, and strategies to make politics more attractive to young voters.
Bala-Aboki also extended an open invitation to other Nigerians, not just PDP members, to join the conversation. He said reducing voter apathy is not a party issue alone, it is a national issue that affects the quality of leadership and public policy.
Nigeria has one of the youngest populations in the world, with more than 60 percent of citizens under the age of 35. Yet turnout among young voters has continued to drop in recent election cycles. The PDP argues that if that trend is not reversed, decisions affecting the future of young people will continue to be made without their input.
The party believes that engaging youth now, ahead of future elections, will help rebuild trust in the electoral process and encourage more people to see voting as a tool for change rather than a waste of time.
As part of the week’s activities, the PDP youth wing says it will also highlight young members who are already active in governance at local and state levels, to serve as examples that participation can lead to results.
With International Youth Day serving as the kickoff, the PDP hopes the momentum will continue into voter registration drives and community mobilization in the months ahead.
