#NigeriaDecides- ‘Vote Your Conscience’; Is That What We Should Vote Based On? -By Solomon Unimke

“Choose your leaders with wisdom and forethought. To be led by a coward is to be controlled by all that the coward fears. To be led by a fool is to be led by the opportunists who control the fool. To be led by a thief is to offer up your most precious treasures to be stolen. To be led by a liar is to ask to be told lies. To be led by a tyrant is to sell yourself and those you love into slavery” – Octavia Butler.

The 2023 election in Nigeria appears to be one of the nation’s most crucial and defining moments. The election has attracted attention around the world, with many anticipating who will lead the giant of Africa out of its current economic and political disarray. While all of this is ongoing, there is a lot of campaigning by various political parties and advocacy from non-state actors on the need for Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) collection by citizens, as well as discussion about whom the people should vote for and why.

One of the most important rights of Nigerian citizens are the civil and political rights, which includes the right to vote and equally be voted for. ‘Vote with your conscience’ is the cliché that has permeated the socio-political space of well-meaning Nigerians. They frequently persuade other Nigerians to vote according to their conscience rather than conventional considerations like gender, tribe, ethnicity, religion, class, and the sentiments that a candidate do not share the same political identity and ideology as they do if Nigeria must progress from its present political state.  However, why this assertion is valid, because people are tired and frustrated and want to give up on the system, the only way out had been seen to be the choice of voting in a credible candidates driven by the plight of the people and with the vision to transform or turn around the country for good regardless of their social status. While it is generally considered to be important for individuals to vote based on their conscience during elections to ensure that their beliefs and values are represented in government principally because it’s a democratic system, where the government is supposed to be a representative of the will of the people. However, it is important to also consider other factors such as candidate’s ability and what they bring to the table and how they align with the beliefs, values, and society’s needs rather than being swayed by outside influences or personal gain.

This article, therefore, attempts to analyze the catchphrase “vote your conscience” in the context of the Nigeria forthcoming 2023 general election and argues that this is not a sufficient consideration in deciding a choice candidate. Rather, our choices should be guided by their policies and ideas toward development which the candidates present through their manifestos. While, we seem to have lost sight of history and our past as a nation in respect of what has led us to where we are today. Some people will insist voting in the forthcoming election should be on the grounds of ethnicity, partisan sentiment, personal gains, and religious lines not what unites us and will make us prosperous as a nation. The current state of the nationknows no tribe, religion, class, or social status, hence it requires a more pragmatic and innovative policy reform thatwill drastically alter the status quo and turn things around for the populace, making it a difficult task for the incoming President. Therefore, it behooves the electorate to decide their pill and be ready for the consequences that come with it.

It might not seem accurate to say that one should never vote based on their conscience in Nigeria, however, it is important to be aware of the political context and potential consequences of voting solely based on personal beliefs. Nigeria is one of the largest democracies with a multi-party system, so one is not oblivious of the complexities and the multi-faceted nature of the forthcoming elections with different candidates coming with different policies and ideas. Voting based solely on conscience may not take into account the practical considerations of who is best suited to govern the country. It can also be risky to vote for a candidate based on personal beliefs without considering their qualifications, plans, and track record. In some cases, voting ‘with your conscience’ may not align with the best interests of the country. For example, if a candidate has a poor track record or lacks the experience and credibility to govern effectively, it may be more responsible to vote for a different candidate regardless of whether or not they align with your personal beliefs. It is important to be aware of the political context and potential consequences before casting your vote and also to educate yourself about the candidates and issues before making a decision. It is also important to consider the nation’s interest, which might be more important than personal views.

Secondly, given Nigeria’s political structure, which is highly polarized, it can be difficult to determine which candidate or party truly aligns with one’s conscience. Additionally, there may be instances of voter intimidation or manipulation, which can make it difficult for some individuals to vote freely and in alliance with their conscience. Another reason is that, sometimes, the political parties and their candidates are not transparent enough in their manifesto and the way they intend to govern the country. This makes it difficult for individuals to make informed decisions about whom to vote for. Therefore, it is important to be informed about the candidates and their policies, and also to consider the political and social context of the election before casting a vote.

When preparing to vote in Nigeria, it’s important to consider a variety of factors to make an informed decision. Here are some things to look for when researching candidates and parties:

• Manifesto: it is important to Check out the party’s manifesto and what they intend to do for the country, their policies on the economy, education, healthcare, climate change, taxes, infrastructure, security, and governance.

• Integrity: Research the candidate’s background and look for any evidence of corruption or unethical behavior. Representation: Consider whether the candidate or party truly represents the values and interests of the community and whether they have a track record of working for the betterment of their constituents.

• Political alignment: Review the candidate’s or party’s political alignment, ideologies, and history and compare it to your own beliefs, values, and priorities.

• Social context: Consider the political and social context of the election and how the candidate or party may impact the country’s stability, security, and development.

• Independent research: It’s important to undertake an independent research and not just rely on information provided by the candidates or political parties themselves, or by the media. By considering these factors, individuals can make informed decisions about whom to vote for, and help ensure that their values and interests are represented in government.

• Vision for the future: Look for a clear vision for the future and the candidate’s plans for addressing the current and future challenges of the country.

Similar to how the loss aversion theory, advanced by Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman, contends that voters are more inclined to use their votes to counteract the effects of bad policies than to support them. Value references are essential from a psychological standpoint in determining personal preferences. In addition, it may be argued that the fact that loss aversion only occurs in situations with high stakes validates the phenomenon because it demonstrates that bias exists even when people care deeply about the result of their decisions. When it comes to elections and referendums, this is clear since voters base their decisions on a cost-benefit analysis.

As a corollary to the above, bear in mind elections have consequences, whoever leads you impact you directly or indirectly. We need to be critical and no longer be fencist and influenced or swayed by partisan sentiment, religion, ethnicity, emotions, and personal gains over national interest.  Thus, the assertion of ‘voting with your conscience’ is no longer trendy, nor practicable, and baseless on the grounds of voting. We must be driven by policies, measuring our level of growth or using global standards of development as a yardstick though considering the African context. Your leaders decide the future of the country, countries with failed leadership are paying heavily for their actions. We can write our wrongs and rewrite our history by electing credible leaders with the foresight and intuition to develop the country not people with questionable characters and personalities. Be driven by ideas and track records.

Vote wisely and don’t sell your vote.

Solomon Unimke is a development practitioner and researcher currently researching employment and employability drivers in Nigeria using Innovations hubs as a case study. His interest is in innovation, tech for social good, and youth development.