With less than a week to vote in the highest office in public service, there’s a significant interest in the 2023 general elections. And yes, the Gen Z’s are included this time.
I’d use myself as an example. I was eligible to vote four years ago, but I didn’t. I didn’t even lift a finger, didn’t bat an eye, and didn’t even start the process of getting my Permanent Voters Card (PVC). But today, I’m among the 79 per cent of registered voters in Nigeria who have successfully picked up their PVCs — as of Dec. 22, according to a new survey by SBM Intelligence. The survey also indicated that the 79 per cent successful collection rate is a marked improvement on the 41 per cent recorded in the first survey carried out in July 2022.
In addition to this, Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of INEC, has said 9.5 Million new voters have been recorded. In addition to the existing number of 84 million registered voters. If you do a bit of maths, this means the initial record of voters in Nigeria now stands at 93.5 million. Considering the margin of votes other candidates have won, this is a significant number. All these and more imply the electorates are going the extra mile to ensure they can exercise their right in the 2023 general elections.
The question now is why? Why does the forthcoming election seem very much a do-or-die affair? Could it be tired Nigerians plagued with hardship under the current government? Is the constant fuel scarcity? Or the mismanaged naira swap, which has plunged millions of people across the country into unprecedented adversity? Maybe it’s the unwarranted killing of people who look a lot like me and my friends just because we are demanding our rights?
For me, the next eight years of my life are crucial. I CANNOT wholeheartedly commit the next phase of my life to the same set of people that governed it 24 years prior. In the words of Wande Coal, “Shey na like this we go dey?”.
In anticipation of the upcoming elections, I spoke to a few young people to see where their heads are as regards the polls.
Anuoluwa, 25
Do you have your PVC?
Yes, I have my PVC.
Is this your first time voting?
It’s my first time voting.
Why is it so important to you “in this moment” for you to vote?
I think it’s time to stop talking and act. We’re voting for Nigeria’s future. I am Nigerian, so I’m voting for my future.
Who are you voting for as your President?
We’ll see at the polls!
Sokari, 23
Do you have your PVC?
Yeah… I do.
Is this your first time voting?
Yes. It’s my first time voting.
Why is it so important to you “in this moment” for you to vote?
Voting is important because there has to be a change in Nigeria, and only our votes would put the right person in that position.
Who are you voting for as your President?
I would be voting for Obi; I’m highly “Obidient.”
Mayowa, 24
Do you have your PVC?
Yes, I have my PVC.
Is this your first time voting?
No, this isn’t my first time voting.
Why is it so important to you “in this moment” for you to vote?
It’s extra important to me because now, more than ever before, I can see the effect of bad leadership in real time on my life, career and finances especially.
Who are you voting for as your President?
I’m voting for Peter Obi as my president.
Itty, 21
Do you have your PVC?
Yes, I got my PVC.
Is this your first time voting?
It’s going to be my first time voting.
Why is it so important to you “in this moment” for you to vote?
As a creative person, I consider so many policies unnecessary in Naija. Only a forward-thinking government can scrap them out and implement equally forward-thinking ones that will favour my growth as a young Nigerian. The other candidates obviously don’t fit this description. I’m also really just tired of all the nepotism that has been going around in Nigerian politics for the longest time. E don do abeg.
Who are you voting for as your President?
I will not be voting “murderers” into power after everything that happened in October 2020. So, I’m voting for Peter Obi as the next president. So shall it be!
Oyinda, 25
Do you have your PVC?
Yes, I have my PVC.
Is this your first time voting?
No, I’ve voted before.
Why is it so important to you “in this moment” for you to vote?
Complaining will not change anything. Actions will.
Who are you voting for as your President?
Peter Obiiiii. Abeg.
Tejumade, 23
Do you have your PVC?
Yes, I have my PVC.
Is this your first time voting?
Yes, it’s my first time. Taking away my voting virginity. LOL.
Why is it so important to you “in this moment” for you to vote?
It’s important right now because it’s my civic duty, and I believe my vote will count in selecting a good leader who can make this country great again.
Who are you voting for as your President?
Peter Obi.
Maurice, 24
Do you have your PVC?
Yes o. After all struggles, I finally have my PVC.
Is this your first time voting?
Yes, it will be my first time.
Why is it so important to you “in this moment” for you to vote?
We need to be a part of the change we claim we deserve. It’s been a circle of corrupt leadership and nonlisteners — we need to change that.
Who are you voting for as your President?
His excellency, Peter Obi.
Laolu, 25
Do you have your PVC?
No, I couldn’t get my PVC.
Why?
Local Government Wahala.
Why was it so important to you “in this moment” to vote?
By the next election, I’ll be 30; we can’t keep wasting time and leaving these important decisions to chance.
Who would you have voted for as your President?
If I got it, I was going to vote for Obi.
Adakole, 26
Do you have your PVC?
Yes, I have my Permanent Voters Card.
Is this your first time voting?
It’s my first time voting.
Why is it so important to you “in this moment” for you to vote?
It’s so important for me because it feels like we have a chance to take power back from the oppression we have faced for a long time now.
Who are you voting for as your President?
Peter Obi! Who else?
Lulu, 20
Do you have your PVC?
No, I don’t.
Why?
I registered and did all the processes, but they said my PVC couldn’t be found.
Why was it so important to you “in this moment” to vote?
I’ve lived long enough to know the current leaders don’t have my interest at heart. I need someone who will fight for me, for us, fight for our country and fight for our future.
Who would you have voted for as your President?
Peter Obi was my choice. Still my choice, God willing.
Omotayo, 26
Do you have your PVC?
Yes, I do have my PVC.
Is this your first time voting?
Yes, it is! A shame, lowkey, but better late than never, right?
Why is it so important to you “in this moment” for you to vote?
This is the most important election in the history of Nigeria. Nigeria has so much potential to be great. The government has run our dear country to the ground and below. It is important that, as citizens, we understand that we are more powerful than the corrupt government if we all stand together. These vagabonds have sucked Nigeria dry, and it is important that we take away whatever power they think they have. We need our grandparents and parents to retire in peace and know that the government is supporting them. The younger generation needs a solid foundation for the future. It is bigger than what we think it is — this whole process. Those greedy bastards need to leave!
Who are you voting for as your President?
Peter Obi, of course. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. Don’t believe anyone that says your vote doesn’t count. The power is honestly in my hands, your hands, our hands, to vote for who we think can steer Nigeria is in the direction we want to see. Go out, exercise your right, and most importantly, be OBIDIENT!
