The United States of America (U.S.) has said the only way Nigerian youths can take over the leadership of the country is to fully dominate the voting system.

U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Mary Leonard, stated this at the 13th graduation of American University of Nigeria (AUN) Yola, Adamawa State.

She pointed out that the Nigerian youth population placed them on advantage to use their votes to decide who becomes the leader. Her words: “I can’t stress this enough: voting is the way your voice can be heard, and to ensure that issues that concern you and your community become a priority for lawmakers and elective individuals. It gives you access to those, who may wish to earn your vote.

“What happens when you don’t vote? Former First Lady Michelle Obama said this morning, ‘you are giving your power to someone else, someone who doesn’t necessarily see the world the same way as you. You are letting them make some really key decisions.’ The truth is that they are hoping you would stay home for them to make key decisions for you about the way you live.”

According to the U.S. envoy, it is easy to get discouraged and to doubt that your vote will make a difference.

“But, again, please remember that voting is your voice; it is only through voting that you can hold those you vote for accountable.

“It is you and your generation that have the future of Nigeria in your hands, as you become the most significant demographic in Nigerian elections, and you owe it to yourself and your country to demand an elected leader, who will provide security, justice and services for all Nigerians. This is the call to action in 2023,” she added.

At the event, former vice president and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar, kept sealed lips over his presidential ambition.

Atiku, who attended with some of his political friends, including Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, did not say a word throughout the three-hour ceremony.

In her welcome remarks, the Vice Chancellor of AUN, Dr. Maggie Ensign, commended Atiku for his foresight to build the institution to train future African leaders.

She said: “The university is not training students for academic activities only,” but offering services to different communities and scholarship to students.

AUN graduated 33 first-class students and 266 students in different fields. (The Guardian)

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