A Tale of Four Crucial Elections

In 2024, four major elections took place across the globe, offering valuable lessons for Nigeria as it prepares for its upcoming general election in 2027. The first notable event occurred in Serbia, where students who had been protesting for accountability two years earlier managed to defeat President Aleksandar Vučić, who had been in power for 12 years.

This victory came after the students drew up a list of candidates, mobilized the electorate, and ultimately secured 53% of the vote. Serbian political analyst Giorgio Fruscione described the students' success as a historic achievement and a role model for the rest of Europe.

In Israel, the parliamentary elections on October 27th resulted in a cliffhanger outcome, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressing frustration over the potential lack of a government without a deal with Arab parties. Meanwhile, Brazil saw President Lula da Silva securing a fourth term in office with a 4.43 million-vote margin, despite trailing in the first round by 2.2 million votes.

Lula's victory was attributed to the power of social media, particularly through a WhatsApp group called 'Lula's Army', which mobilized millions of supporters.

The final election took place in the United States on November 5th, where Democrats made significant gains, including five governorship seats and control of both the Senate and House. This victory, known as the "Blue Tsunami," broke several gender and ethno-religious records, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries poised to become the first Black Speaker of the House.

Donald Trump conceded defeat, citing a repudiation of his policies and a referendum on his stewardship, though his deputy Vice President J.D. Vance attributed the loss to the war in Iran.

For Nigeria, these four elections highlight several key lessons. In Brazil, Lula's victory shows the power of social media and offline mobilization, emphasizing the importance of reaching underrepresented demographics such as teenagers and older voters. In Serbia, the students' victory underscores the value of democracy and the potential impact of determined, organized groups, even when faced with entrenched power structures.

The US election demonstrates the importance of breaking records in gender and ethno-religious representation, as well as the potential consequences of divisive rhetoric. These lessons can serve as valuable guidance for Nigeria as it prepares to navigate its own electoral landscape in 2027.