National Issues
2023 Election: Students Franchise, Will You Vote -By Biliaminu Manne
“I have not my PVC in my possession, because I did my voter’s card registration in Ilesha district, baruten Local Government, Kwara State and I was in school when the distribution of PVC has conducted in the town.
The situation in this country is unbearable, we are all experiencing lots of chaos and challenges in the country, are we the cause of it through choosing our leaders, or we are bound to encounter it?
It remains a day to the 2023 general election of Nigeria (the appointment of new leaders), many Nigerian youths are students of various institutions in the country. Though, the National Universities Commission ordered in a letter addressed to vice-chancellors of all universities and directors of inter-university centres to close various varsities in the country.
“As Vice-Chancellors of all Universities and Director/Chief Executive of Inter-University Centres are quite aware the 2023 General Elections have been scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 25, 2023, for the Presidential and National Assembly, and Saturday, March 11, 2023, for Gubernatorial and State Assembly,” it read.
The Nigeria Students’ Reactions:
The Nigerian youths are now experiencing chaotic situations in the country. The current argument is that will the students take part in this 2023 General election or not.
In an interview with Abdullahi Aliyu Usman, a 300-level Student of Arabic, UDUS has expressed his thoughts of not voting for now, as he is not confused with any of their manifestos.
In his words, he said: “Well, I have heard so many manifestos as usual, which to me, are not different from those that have been held before this one.
All are full of unfulfillable promises coupled with criticism of the opposition party.”
“I’m not convinced with any of their manifestos and have no strong belief in any of them. As a citizen, I can only pray that Allah grants us the best candidate that suits the position.”
“For now, I am not planning to vote because I can’t vote for whom I’m not having trust on.
But before the D-Day I might change my mind, if I’m convinced.”
However, Speaking with another student, Nafiu Abdul-mazeed, a 100-level student of Biochemistry, at Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Aliero has said he will exercise his franchise as the citizen of Nigeria, because he already have his candidate to vote for
” I am a student and also a citizen of this country, I will sincerely exercise my franchise by voting my presidential candidate in this 2023 general election,” he said.
In an interview with another student, he plead anonymity, a 400-level Student Agriculture, at Federal University Dutsema, Katsina state has expressed his concerns of not yet deciding whether to vote or not.
In his words, he said: “As far as am concerned, I did not know who to vote for, because I have no presidential candidate who worth my vote in this upcoming general election.”
Nevertheless, Speaking with another student, Abdulsalam Sanusi Fafana, a 300-level student of Demography at Federal University Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State has expressed that he has no PVC in his possession, talk more of voting for someone.
“I have not my PVC in my possession, because I did my voter’s card registration in Ilesha district, baruten Local Government, Kwara State and I was in school when the distribution of PVC has conducted in the town.
Conclusively, despite the closure of higher institutions, many students have no interest in voting at this coming 2023 general election in the federal republic of Nigeria.
