An Ideal Election -By Adesiyan Oluwapelumi

Since the commencement of the race for the presidential seat, many Nigerian youths have been burdened with the thoughts of a possible free, fair & unprejudiced election. Truth be to told, the willingness to vote for a desired candidate has overlayed the political apathy normally exerted by youths but there is still a mind aching fear that their votes may in the long run go down the drain & have no effect on the emergent electoral results.

Nevertheless, it is not a sacred or abominable event for Nigeria to have a free & fair election. If a man can speak to you at a persuasive & intellectual level, chances are that he would not resort to a physical expression of his frustration. In like manner, if the intending presidential candidates are willing to adhere to violent-free forms of campaigning, politicking & mass influencing, there would be no reason to procure political hoodlums to stuff ballot boxes or bribe electorates into ensuring they emerge victorious. This will be an ideal & credible election.

Hence, can Nigeria have a credible election in 2023,one in semblance to 1993 Presidential election, the incontestable answer is Yes! All traditional & hybrid forms of electoral malpractices such as renting of crowd for the electioneering process, abuse of political power into influencing outcome of electoral result, use of hoodlums to allay electorates from polling units on election day & several other inherent forms of malpractices should be abolished. Rather, intending candidates should put more efforts in expanding the reach of their political campaigns to rural regions & enlighten them on how their votes is capable of influencing the development of the nation.

Consequently, votes will be rendered solely on electorates’ personal desires & political parties’ manifestoes rather than on the malignant influence of bribes, hoodlums or godfatherism. Nigeria will thus experience a safe & credible election in 2023.