Either we get things right now in Nigeria, or never. It is notable to say that we have another opportunity on our hands to decide that turn our nation will take from here. The 2023 general election is an all-important one in deciding the future of Nigeria and states. It is another opportunity to elect another set of people that will preside over the affairs of Nigeria for the next four years.
As Nigeria prepares for its presidential election this weekend, younger voters are mobilizing in record numbers to take part. The high interest in Saturday’s ballot comes as Africa’s most populous nation faces high rates of unemployment and growing insecurity. Officials say there’s been a surge in voter registration rates across Nigeria far above what was expected. Younger voters in particular appear to be rallying behind a third-party candidate Peter Obi, who was at first seen as an underdog in the race. Nigerians will choose from among 18 candidates to succeed incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari, who is winding down his second and final term.
Many young people have left the country, seeing no future at home. But many of those who have stayed hope the Feb. 25 election will bring a real change. A lot of younger Nigerians are tending towards a candidate outside the usual political structure as they are frustrated by high unemployment and worsening violence. They have made a third-party candidate with social media appeal into a serious contender in the polls.
The events of the last eight years are instructive; we have had to go through tough times, but we are presented with yet another opportunity to vote for those who will govern us in the next four years and perhaps beyond. As the resilient people that we are, we have had to endure hardships that were never envisaged in our dear country and state and if Nigeria continues this downhill, it will be disastrous.
The Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress Bola Tinubu, has served as the governor of Lagos, while Atiku Abubakar, of the People’s Democratic Party has served as Nigeria’s vice-president. Tinubu was an important backer of the current president and is known as a key funder for the ruling APC. Abubakar, one of Nigeria’s richest businessmen, ran for president in 2019 and lost to Buhari. Although both men have been in Nigerian politics since 1999. In 2015, Buhari promised to curb Nigeria’s rampant corruption and extremist insurgency, but he failed to make headway on either challenge. Frustration with mainstream parties made room for former governor Peter Obi to position himself as a change candidate. Rinu Oduala a youth activist who was among the leaders of unprecedented nationwide demonstrations held in 2020 by young Nigerians to protest police brutality and bad governance said that hopes placed in the current president have been crushed and now she is mobilizing voters, supporting Obi who; initially was seen as an underdog with little political experience. Obi, the candidate of the Labour Party has emerged as a leading candidate, coming ahead of or close behind Tinubu and Abubakar in most polls. He’s spoken to young people promising jobs, and to Nigeria’s vast diaspora, promising changes that will give them a reason to return.
Tinubu has focused on another bloc: Nigeria’s Muslim majority. Presidential candidates usually balance their tickets, choosing a running mate from the other side of Nigeria’s religious divide, but the APC candidate has chosen a fellow Muslim. Some members of the ruling party see the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket as Tinubu’s biggest chance of securing votes in the Muslim-dominated north, which has more registered voters than the Christian-dominated south. The leader of Centre for Democracy and Development Hassan Idayat sees this strategy as one that could deepen the country’s religious divisions.
Though we hope that all contestants should try to imbibe the spirit of good sportsmanship in accepting the outcome of the elections and joining hands with those who will be declared as winners to move our country and dear state forward.
Although INEC, political parties, security agencies, CSOs, and the voting public have all shown enthusiasm in making the 2023 elections a success and charged all not to waver in their resolve to build a nation of which all will be proud. Elections are seasonal, but our humanity and brotherhood are eternal, we should not allow momentary activities to distort our longstanding bonds of unity and oneness.
This is another chance we have to show the world that Nigeria is a leader on the continent and a major player in global affairs. The conduct of this election will put us on the right pedestal to take our place of pride among the community of nations. As history beckons! Let us not fail our dear nation and state. We are able and prepared to be part of history, let us make it happen.
James Nwachuya #EMBA28
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