Today’s general elections in Africa’s most populous black nation and largest economy, Nigeria, have been described in so many terms by different political analysts and commentators. Being one of the most awaited exercises in the history of country, the outcome is hinged on so many expectations. And for the first time in Nigeria’s political history, the pre-election atmosphere seems supercharged and unpredictable.
In today’s exercise, Nigerians will queue at one hundred and seventy-six thousand, six hundred and six polling units to elect a President and Vice President who share the same ticket, and four hundred and sixty-nine members of both chambers of the National Assembly. Eighteen political parties are fielding different candidates for these elections while over ninety-three million, four hundred and sixty-nine thousand and eight voters are expected to participate in the exercise.
In truth, the day is Nigeria’s moment with destiny. It is another opportunity for the country to define the path it will choose to follow in the next four years. Today will define the challenges the country will choose to conquer in the days to come and the ways it chooses to conquer them. It will serve as a pointer to the determination of the citizens to redefine the country’s negative narratives. It is the day that Nigerians will express whether in truth there is unity and strength in diversity or that there will be more things that will divide the nation than hold it together. It is truly a day of reckoning. The destiny of this nation and all that make it elegant and hopeful would be tested once again. Nigerian voters must now decide on which side of history they wish to appear.
The country is, undoubtedly, faced with different forms of agitations in most parts of the country. The palpable level of insecurity has tripled. Millions of Nigerians are displaced and living under inhuman conditions in different internally displaced persons’ camps. Traveling across different parts of the country has become more of a voyage into the evil forest and the unknown than what it should have been — a pleasant experience. The trust deficit alongside political, ethnic and religious differences has increased severely.
With over 33.3% unemployment rate, 21% inflation rate year on year and 63% of the population, that is; 133 million persons living under the poverty line, there is no gainsaying the fact that no Nigerian should be told that the vote they cast today should be bereft of any regional, ethnic, nepotistic or religious sentiments. The economy of the country has nosedived with consequential high deprivations for citizens to access to power, water and sanitization, basic housing, quality and accessible health care, quality education and food security. Today’s election is a moment with destiny to challenge and change these narratives.
Worst is that the country’s reputation abroad continues to put all the cloaks of undesirability. According to Transparency International, Nigeria has remained on the lowest rungs of Global Corruption Perception Index. In fact, in 2022, the country ranked 150 out of 180 countries — making it one of the world’s most corrupt countries. An image that, despite the success stories recorded by Nigerians in the diaspora, has made them to remain under the watchful eyes of their host countries who only perceive and stereotype them through negative lenses.
Nigerians possess in their kitty the power to better their country and there is no other way to do that than through the power of their votes and permanent voter cards.
Nigerians must, therefore, go out today with determination and hope. Determination not to allow any ploy by enemies of the nation to stop them from exercising their franchise and exercising them in good conscience. Determination not to be influenced by ephemeral, primordial and sentimental interests in the choices of who should be their leader. Believe that with their votes they can turn the fortunes of the country to a better direction. Nigerians must resist any attempt to drag them into any form of violence today, during the collation of votes or thereafter. Any attempt that will reduce the creditability and transparency of the process or its peaceful conduct must be shunned.
It is our moment with destiny and we must protect it for ourselves, our children and for the greater future of the country.
Comments are closed for this post.