2023: Green Nigeria Movement to Tackle Voter Apathy

The Green Nigeria Movement (GNM) has moved to tackle voter apathy among eligible voters across the country as part of its plan to mobilize up to 12 million votes for a credible presidential candidate in the forthcoming 2023 general election. 
The group said this forms one of its cardinal objectives, which also includes to champion a new political narrative at all levels of government and to ensure support for people within its system. The Convener of the GNM and Chairman of the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF), Mr Moses Siloko Siasia, who harped on this on Tuesday at a Consultation Breakfast Meeting with civil society organisations (CSOs) held in Abuja, hinted that the movement has resolved to support a presidential candidate who is not more than 70 years old.
He emphasized that the GNM’s choice of candidate will be tied to capacity, ideas and professionalism, adding that a SWOT analysis will be conducted to come up with candidates that fit its objectives.
Siasia said the consultation with CSOs will further help strategize on stretching influence and exposing young citizens to accessible and effective tools of political participation. 
He said: “We have seen a lot of standalone political movements throwing their weights at the giant task of charting a new course for Nigeria’s polity”, lamenting that “there is no synergy between them”. 
“At GNM, we are not lost to the realities that there is no cause that can advance without partnership and collaboration. That is why we are gathered here as movers and shakers to harness our expertise towards promoting active participation of young people in politics, as well as to support a technocrat and seasoned professional in the forthcoming elections,” he said. 
The Country Director, Accountability Lab Nigeria, Mr Odeh Friday, posited that the GNM must have a strategic plan to achieve its objectives, while he also called for the representation of Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWD) and more women in activities of the group.
The President of SWA Sports, Aisha Shuaibu, charged the group to gather “like minded individuals, build networks, collect data, and be honest in its activities”, adding that her platform will be used to mobilize votes for the right candidate chosen by the GNM.
The Consultation Breakfast Meeting held in Abuja saw the gathering of luminaries comprising individuals, groups and professionals from all walks of life to expand conversations around the forthcoming general election, as well as build political coalitions across the civil space for an efficient mobilization of young Nigerians for the forthcoming polls. 
The GNM is an initiative of the NYPF, which aims to among many other goals, identify a credible presidential candidate and throw its weight behind the candidate by mobilizing massive votes across the country. The platform also seeks to enlighten voters.