Nigerians and the 2023 Elections - by Ugochukwu Asiogu

Since the return to democracy on May 29, 1999, Nigeria's electoral system and processes have been featured by a great degree of voter apathy and by extension, democratic sabotage. This unfortunate situation has gone from bad to worse as the voting population voluntarily refuse to vote during elections thus citing a lack of patriotism, concern or absolute nonchalance towards elections. It is not uncommon to mention the fact that a lot of Nigerians are fed up with the pitiful situation of the country such that they have become so disconnected with political arrangements and activities in the country. This is evident as at most Newspaper reading joints in the country, one may find a few persons who are pleased to discuss and/or argue about some striking political issues in the country; nowadays, these readers take more pleasure in reading local and international sports and entertainment news. However, those of them who read up political events only do so because they do not want to feel left out on the obvious daily negative news of rapacious corruption, insecurity and nepotism across the country. Truth be told, a lot of Nigerians today are tirelessly complaining about the ills of bad governance, lack of accountability, corruption, ethnic chauvinism, nepotism, religious intolerance, social exclusion, unemployment, inequality and poverty in the country. However, it is unfortunate that these complaints, worries and frustrations have been met with little or no serious efforts by the federal and state governments. Today, the Nigerian economy has witnessed two depressing economic recessions in the last six years with the government helpless, and always confused in handling the situation. Again, foreign exchange has incessantly increased to about #800 per $1; inflation has gone up mercilessly, there is food insecurity and shortage across the country and above all, poverty has become the order of the day. In the light of all these worrisome and heart-wrenching occurrences in the country, many Nigerians have become ghosts of themselves and are looking for a helper and messiah that would take them out of Egypt. What they have forgotten is that they are the architect of the challenges they face today. Their nonchalance and lack of seriousness towards performing their constitutional responsibility of voting during elections resulted in letting in quack and inexperienced leaders into government. And of course, when an inexperienced driver is on the steering of a car, people should not expect anything less than a brutal accident on the highway. If Nigerians truly want good governance; If we truly want a Nigeria that we would be proud of, then, we should let go of being apolitical and go get our Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). Without our Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), we would not be able to vote and if we do not vote, here are some of the challenges we should expect in more severe and damaging proportions in the coming years: 1. Not collecting our PVCs and voting during the forthcoming elections would mean that we are being unpatriotic and disrespectful of our constitution which bestowed on us the right to exercise our franchise. 2. Not collecting our PVCs and voting during the forthcoming elections would mean that we are indirectly giving quacks and inexperienced politicians who have no human sympathy and are not developmentally-driven, the opportunity to have access to power and plunder whatever that is left of our natural resources and treasury. 3. Not collecting our PVCs and voting during the 2023 elections would mean that we are promoting corruption and giving politicians the opportunity to rig the elections and remain in power. 4. Not collecting our PVCs and voting during the 2023 elections will add to our depression, unnecessary complaints and frustration towards the political system because we would continue to loose faith and trust in the government. 5. If we do not collect our PVCs and vote, then we would loose our rights to being involved in the public opinion and policy making process of the government. We will equally not have the opportunity of checkmating the excesses of the next government. By collecting our PVCs and voting during elections, we will be able to restore our mandate, rejig our democracy, checkmate the excesses of bad leaders and also place experienced and intelligent leaders at the helm of affairs. A new Nigeria is very possible only if we make the bold step and go get our PVCs.

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