By EMMANUEL OLONIRUHA

A Nollywood actor, Mr Emmanuel Ikubese, has called on Nigerian youths to shun electoral violence and embrace peaceful participation in the 2027 general elections.

Ikubese made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja, while speaking on the sidelines of the investiture of new Independent National Electoral Commission Youth Ambassadors (IYAs).

The former Mr Nigeria also emphasised the need for active youth participation in civic duties, saying it remained the only sustainable path toward building and strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.

While reiterating his long-standing advocacy campaign: ‘Vote with Thumb, Not Blood’, Ikubese said political disagreements among young people should be settled at the ballot box rather than through violence, intimidation or online harassment.

“I am very big on not just peaceful election, but also non-election violence.

“It’s important for us to understand that we can disagree on candidacy. But it’s important to choose our preferred candidate during elections at the electoral box.

“That is why we vote with thumb and not blood. It’s not to do it violently.

“It’s not to do it any other way, but going at the time when the elections are here and voting with your thumb and nothing else. Not blood, not violence, not mocking, not insulting.

“You can disagree, but can we disagree to agree? If you have a choice, go and vote for your choice with thumb and not violence and not blood,” he said.

Addressing the issue of voter apathy among young Nigerians, the newly-appointed ambassador acknowledged that widespread mistrust and longer processes with the electoral system had kept many away from the polls.

“There is a gap between the people and INEC, a sense of heartbreak where citizens feel that in spite of coming out in large numbers or enduring long processes to obtain their permanent voter cards (PVCs), their votes might not count,” he said.

He, however, urged citizens, especially the youth, to keep believing in the system and participate actively, stating: ‘Your votes truly count’.

According to him, his primary responsibility as an INEC youth ambassador is to serve as a bi-directional bridge to rebuild confidence between the electoral umpire and the country’s youth demography.

“We are here to interpret INEC’s vision to young people and bring their concerns directly back to the commission.

“We’re basically that bridge between the people and INEC, so that we can build that trust again, so that INEC hears the cry of the people because we are the people, and the people also understand where INEC is coming from.

“So we’re like that bridge to make sure that young people understand and we can cement and build back that trust that the young people have lost for this very integral office in Nigeria,” he said.

The Nollywood actor described his appointment as a privilege to champion electoral integrity, advocate for youth engagement and encourage Nigerians to exercise their fundamental right to vote. (NAN)