Obaba Museum

Although the proverbial half bread is better than nothing, one must not be disillusioned to the fact that the enthusiasm shown by Nigerian youth in mobilising for registration for permanent voter’s card (PVC) does not necessarily mean that the much acclaimed ballot-revolution is imminent. In the aftermath of the EndSars movement that took place in October 2020, the Nigerian youth have shown an increasing inclination towards politics and governance—something that was hitherto alien to them. This, one must concede, influenced the PVC registrations a great deal as youth-driven NGOs sprang up in different parts of the country, with the purpose of mobilising Nigerians, en-masse, for registration. This in itself is very commendable and is a further testament to the benefits of youth’s involvement in politics. However, this is not yet Uhuru.

Travelling few months down memory lane, precisely to the primaries conducted in preparation for the 2023 general elections, one easily remembers the discrepancies that plagued that very exercise. We witnessed the blatant financial inducement of the celebrity status delegates and the indiscriminate manipulation and bypass of electoral laws and processes to favour particular individuals. Now, considering that the crop of gladiators going at the hierarchies of political offices in the 2023 general elections was projected from such a process riddled with such overt flaws, one cannot help but look to the future with little hope.

Against this backdrop, Nigerian youths—and Nigerians in general—might fall victim of a phenomenon called “voting without choosing” where citizens exercise their democratic franchise but still end up shortchanged as a result of the largely similar array of persons they are allowed to choose from. This is particularly because the indirect primary system that many political parties adopted saw delegations—without the interest of Nigerians at heart—cast their vote for the highest bidders.

Having established the problem, one is left with the task of proffering solutions. First, we must realise the certainty that Nigeria’s problems will not automatically fizzle out after the 2023 elections, regardless of which candidate emerges. Therefore, whatever devotion expressed in the build-up to the election must remain intact after because being partisan does not and should not end at the polls. Electorates must prepare to be conscious of the activities of any government it elects into power so it can hold that government responsible when it falters. They should continually listen in on ongoing conversations about government polices and take opinions on them. Taking a step further will be to organise into political parties and also aspire for offices.

Nigeria’s problem has largely been poor leadership as well as an apathetic citizenry. It has, therefore, been encouraging to see Nigerians wake up to their civil duties in recent times. The core message of this article, however, is that the youth must brace themselves for further involvement in politics and governance because only such participation can ensure good leadership in the country.