Election violence, vote buying eroding Nigerians’ confidence — NOA

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has identified election violence, misinformation, vote buying, and a declining trust in the electoral process as factors eroding Nigerians' confidence in the electoral system. The NOA's Director of Civic, Values and Democracy Education, Olukemi Afolayan, made these statements during an election roundtable organized by Create Studio Nigeria and the Humanitarian Foundation for Social Justice.

The roundtable, themed "Reclaiming Our Vote: Enfranchising a New Generation of Voters," aimed to discuss strategies to improve voter participation and trust in the democratic process.

Afolayan emphasized that the growing perception among some citizens, particularly young Nigerians, that their votes do not make a significant difference is contributing to voter apathy. She highlighted the challenges faced by many democracies, including Nigeria, in combating declining trust, voter apathy, misinformation, vote buying, electoral violence, and the perception that one's vote does not matter.

To address these issues, Afolayan stressed the importance of restoring citizens' confidence in the democratic process, which she believes is crucial for reversing voter apathy and encouraging greater participation in elections.

Young Nigerians are described as critical stakeholders in the country's democratic development due to Nigeria's youthful population. Afolayan emphasized that enfranchising a new generation of voters requires more than just encouraging young people to register and cast their ballots; it necessitates equipping them with civic knowledge and values.

The NOA official called for the promotion of civic education and values reorientation to ensure that citizens understand the importance of their votes and their responsibilities as citizens.

The roundtable also featured a university professor, Prof. Ajibade Michael, who called for Nigerians above the age of 70 to leave the political system, arguing that younger people are better positioned to determine the nation's future. He believed that political leadership should prioritize individuals between the ages of 25 and 70, as they are more mentally alert, physically active, and equipped to understand and respond to contemporary challenges.

Michael argued that the country cannot effectively entrust its future to elderly leaders who may struggle to comprehend the realities of younger generations.

The Humanitarian Foundation for Social Justice's Executive Director, Adekunle Adebanjo, emphasized that the roundtable was intended to bring stakeholders together to assess Nigeria's democratic journey and identify practical ways to strengthen the electoral process. Adebanjo stressed that democracy should ultimately lead to improved living conditions and greater opportunities for citizens, viewing democracy as a means to an end rather than an end in itself.

These discussions come amid preparations for the 2027 general elections and growing concerns over voter apathy, declining trust, and challenges affecting citizens' participation in Nigeria's electoral process.