Popular Nollywood actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, says she is hopeful that youths will make a difference in the 2019 election, given the level of political education and awareness they have received in the build up to the elections.
She spoke in Lagos at a political awareness organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the European Union, at the University of Lagos campus, Akoka.
Omotola, who said she had never participated in any election in Nigeria noted that she was interested in the next general elections because it was time for the youths to take over.
“This is the first time I’m registering to vote and people are wondering why I have never voted. The truth is that I registered because someone I believe in is coming out to run. I have never voted, never been interested and I have always been scared because right from when I was a child, my mother has always pulled my ears not to go near a polling booth for security reasons.
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“But now, I think we must have confidence in the process. I am part of the outreach because I am hopeful just like every other youth. I have listened to the INEC chairman and he sounds genuine. I hope his heart is as genuine as he sounds,” she said.
According to her “the minute the young people start to feel confident, the minute they start to feel that 2019 will now be like the others, they will participate.”
Jalade-Ekeinde urged the youths not to be discouraged even if their candidates do not win in the next general elections. Her words: “We might not win next year, the people we vote might not win but that’s not the point. The point is let’s put the numbers behind them to be confident enough to try again. That’s the most important thing. Sometimes, people look at some candidates and say ‘this one will not win, let me not waste my vote,’ let’s waste the votes in 2019.”
