AS the off-cycle elections in Edo and Ondo states beckon, registered citizens in the states should troop out to vote for their chosen candidates without undue pressures or ‘stomach infrastructure’ inducement. They should consider the electoral process as a tool to assert their sociopolitical rights and contribute to shaping their states’ future.
The Independent National Electoral Commission recently announced that 2.6 million voters and 2.1 million were registered in Edo and Ondo states. The governorship polls will be held in Edo on September 21 and November 16 in Ondo.
INEC’s national commissioner, Sam Olumekun, stated that 52.1 per cent of the voters in Edo were male, while 47.9 per cent were female. He added that youth (34.7 per cent), and middle-aged demographics constituted 72.2 per cent of registered voters in the state.
For Ondo, 50.4 per cent of the 2.1 million are male, while 47.9 per cent are female. The youth account for 35.4 per cent, while the middle-aged constitute 35.2 per cent of registered voters.
The youth and middle-aged demographics in both states may portend a shift in the poll winners if they vote. Irrespective of their choices, young people should realise that this election will determine their lives’ trajectory, their states’ development, and the dividends of democracy for the next four years. They should not sell their votes.
They should vote for competent, incorruptible, and visionary leaders who can spearhead the development of infrastructure in their states.
Unfortunately, Nigerians have reacted to the years of corruption, poverty, and misgovernance by refusing to exercise their electoral franchise. Electoral participation has hit a downward spiral due to repeated electoral violence, ballot snatching, rigging, bad governance, logistics nightmare, and voting inconveniences.
While the UK had a 60 per cent voter turnout in the July 4 general election, Nigeria’s voter outlook is abysmal. It steadily dwindled from 57.4 per cent in 2007 to 53.7 per cent in 2011, 43.6 per cent in 2015, and 34.75 per cent in 2019. It reached a 44-year low at 27 per cent in 2023. This highlights a lack of confidence in the electoral system.
The Pew Research Center stated that the 2020 US presidential election had a 66 per cent voter turnout amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Political parties, NGOs in the governance space, and religious organisations should embark on sensitisation campaigns and programmes to drive higher voter outcomes.
Nigeria should learn from these countries and create the necessary systems to boost the confidence of the electorate. It should make the electoral process seamless. Ad hoc staff for the Edo and Ondo elections should be thoroughly screened before they are onboarded to serve.
Nigeria’s electoral dilemma is compounded by the political elite’s failure to provide good governance. While Nigerians are grappling with poor wages, a high cost of living, and low purchasing power, The Economist of London stated that Nigerian lawmakers are the highest paid in the world. The political elite should not make Nigerians turn their backs on democracy.
The judiciary has a pivotal role to play in elections. While the law is set to protect the redress of the oppressed, it should save itself from judgements based on problematic technicalities, and the stereotype of errors by ensuring that judgements abide by the electoral laws. Recent electoral judgements concerning the senatorial seats of Godswill Akpabio and Ahmad Lawan were contentious. The courts should provide clear judgements.
Nigerians must not be weary of democracy. Building a prosperous and sustainable democratic country demands time and concerted efforts. They must go out and vote, evaluate the winners’ performances, and vote them out when they fail to fulfil their manifestos. They should use the ballot to protest bad governance and choose those whose vision aligns with their dreams.
Peoplesmind
