A Tale of Four Crucial Elections

In the span of two weeks, four significant elections unfolded across the globe, each with its unique story. In Serbia, students who had been protesting for accountability for two years successfully defeated President Aleksandar Vučić, who had been in power for 12 years. This victory was a result of the students' mobilization and the defeat of the incumbent President.

Meanwhile, in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced a cliffhanger result in the parliamentary election, leaving him frustrated as there might be no government without a deal with the Arab parties. This was a surprising turn of events for Netanyahu.

In Brazil, incumbent President Lula da Silva, aged 81, won a fourth term despite trailing in the first round by 2.2 million votes. His victory was attributed to the power of social media, with his supporters mobilizing through WhatsApp groups and encouraging voters, especially teenagers and those above 70. The election also broke several gender and ethno-religious records in the United States, where Democrats gained control of Congress with victories in Republican strongholds.

These elections from Brazil, Serbia, Israel, and the United States offer lessons for Nigeria as it prepares for its 2027 general election. The stories emphasize the importance of democracy, the power of social media and grassroots mobilization, and the impact of incumbency.