In a strategic effort to address voter apathy and promote civic responsibility, the Oriire Youth Council has launched a grassroots voter sensitization campaign to mobilize residents for Permanent Voter Card (PVC) registration ahead of the next election cycle.
The 30-member, non-partisan organization, led by its National Chairman, Comrade Sarafadeen Owonikoko Isiaq, is taking the campaign beyond conventional platforms and into the core of the community. The initiative will cover all ten political wards in Oriire Local Government Area and will target marketplaces, churches, mosques, schools, okada parks, and town gatherings.
“We’re waking the sleeping giant that Oriire has become,” said Owonikoko during the campaign launch. “We have the numbers, talent, and potential—but we’re politically underrepresented. That’s what we’re changing.”
Target Groups and Focus Areas
The campaign focuses on three primary groups:
- Unregistered eligible voters, especially youths turning 18
- Individuals with lost or damaged PVCs
- Communities with historically low voter turnout
The Council is partnering with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to ensure residents have full information on how and where to register.
Political Participation Equals Development
Speaking on the rationale behind the initiative, the Council’s National Secretary, Sanusi Olalekan Oyekanmi, emphasized that voter participation is directly tied to political visibility and development.
“Communities with higher turnout get more government attention, more infrastructure, and more appointments,” he noted. “We’re telling Oriire people that their vote is their voice.”
Inclusive Engagement
The Council is prioritizing inclusive participation, with women and youth at the forefront.
Comrade Folasade Akanji, Vice Chairperson II, highlighted the unique stake women have in governance outcomes.
“We suffer the consequences of poor leadership the most. It’s time women have a say in who governs us,” she said.
Vice Chairman I, Comrade Temitayo Ogundare, added, “This is not a campaign for complainers. It’s for doers. If you want change, this is your time.”
Community-Driven Strategy
Public Relations Officer, Ajadi Isaac, explained that the campaign is grounded in face-to-face community engagement.
“We’re not waiting behind desks. We’re taking the message to the people—at bike parks, town unions, and places of worship. We’re speaking the language they understand.”
#OriireFirst Agenda
The campaign is part of a broader 10-Year Development Plan (2024–2034), tagged #OriireFirst, aimed at ensuring political relevance and attracting socio-economic development to Oriire.
Joshua Ojo Aderemi, Ex-Officio I and a member of the Oyo State Youth Parliament, said the Council’s goal is to place Oriire firmly on the electoral map.
“If we want roads, jobs, schools, and appointments, it starts with visibility at the polls,” he said.
Next Steps
The Council will:
- Visit the INEC local office for updated registration schedules,
- Collaborate with the NOA for wider civic education,
- Pay courtesy visits to key political figures including Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin, and Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala.
Chairman Owonikoko appealed to all political parties for support, stating:
“This is not about APC or PDP. It’s about Oriire. This is mass participation against godfatherism.”
As the campaign gains momentum, the mood in Oriire is changing. “We’re not just telling people to vote,” said Sanusi. “We’re telling them to believe in their power.”
Ajadi Isaac concluded, “Let them say Oriire used to be forgotten. After this, we’ll be impossible to ignore.”
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