The political apathy Nigerians exude as evidenced in the low turnout of eligible voters in elections even when their wellbeing is at stake is quite disturbing.
Owing to a lack of confidence in the political process, the lackadaisical interest of citizens towards elections is not surprising.
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Often, our elections are characterised by vote buying, rigging, intimidation, violence and other forms of malpractices, which have made Nigerians believe that their votes won’t count.
A recent report by Daily Trust said since the advent of the Fourth Republic, voter turnout has been declining. Beginning at 69 per cent in the 2003 general elections, it fell to 57 per cent in 2007, then to 54 per cent in 2011, to 44 per cent in 2015, and to an all-time low of 35 per cent in 2019.
Only 82 million of Nigerians out 106.4 million eligible voters registered to vote in the 2019 general elections, and only 28 million actually cast their votes. Considering that Lagos State alone has a population of roughly 14.8 million, it is depressing to learn that the current president was chosen by 15 million voters in 2019.
Apathy is a threat to humanity. Whether it is political or economic, indifference will eventually have an impact on us. For instance, the 2019 elections cost INEC over N444.4 billion, which means 444.4 billion was taken away from the government’s purse and there was a 35 per cent turnout implying that almost everything was a waste. The current state of Nigeria is a result of the low turnout of voters. If Nigerians had come out to exercise their right to vote maybe Nigeria might have been better.
It is sad to learn that people are voting in order to gain financial or material advantages from aspirants who want to tip the political pendulum in their favour and win the election.
In the last concluded Ekiti State gubernatorial election, voters, particularly those in rural areas, were seen selling their votes for N10,000; others even sold theirs for as little as N500 alongside little grocery .The question begging for answers in my mind is if the N500 can buy a better Nigeria. Inarguably, times are hard and those with little or nothing see this as an opportunity that ensures their next meal. However, the paltry amount or food items received cannot compensate for another four years of hardship. Moreover, if their intention is to improve the country and better the lives of the citizenry, why would they need to buy votes?
Nigerians need to wake up and realise what democracy really means: government of the people, by the people, and for the people (to quote Abraham Lincoln). That is, it is a system in which the people are in charge and the government is there to serve them. Hence, I implore Nigerians to use their right to vote and choose candidates they believe will improve the welfare of Nigerians.
Daniel Okusolubo is a 200 level student of Mass Communication, Southwestern University
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