The Coordinator of MakeYourVotesCount.org, (MYVC), Chido Onumah, have stepped down to pursue other interests. Mr. Onumah whose disengagement from MYVC took effect from August 1, 2010, has officially joined the presidential campaign organization of the former Chairman of the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
Messrs Uzodinma Nwaogbe and Lewis Asubiojo, will take charge and run programmes of MYVC. Mr. Onumah said his disengagement became necessary to enable the project uphold its mandate as a non-partisan initiative. He noted that the project has made significant progress in opening the political space in Nigeria and creating a level playing field for political aspirants in the 2011 general election. His departure from MYVC and foray into politics is to take advantage of this progress, he added.
MakeYourVotesCount has been in the forefront of recent attempts by civil society in Nigeria to push for democracy and credible election, including the celebrated Iwu Must Go and No to Military Rule Campaigns!
MakeYourVotesCount is a non-partisan grassroots-based project of the Youth Media & Communication Initiative (YMCI). The project aims to make the issue of free, fair and transparent elections the main concern on the national political agenda as well as encourage youth (18-30 years) to take active part in the democratic process. It has as its objectives, amongst others, to educate young voters on their choices during elections; encourage youth to take active part in the democratic process; and guard against electoral fraud.
Signed:
Uzodinma Nwaogbe
Director, MakeYourVotesCount
