As the President and Founder of Anap Foundation and Convener of GoNigeria, I have been actively encouraging Nigerian youths to register, collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs), and participate in the 2023 elections. GoNigeria, a non-partisan initiative, was launched in late 2021 to inspire youth involvement in politics. Many young Nigerians have expressed their dissatisfaction with the major political parties, APC and PDP, and seek alternatives. The youth’s focus on the economy, unemployment, and insecurity underscores their desire for change through meaningful political engagement.
In recent interactions, many Nigerian youths have reported that they’ve registered online with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and completed their biometrics, signaling their readiness to vote. Some have highlighted challenges in the registration process, including issues with biometric capture at INEC centers, which must be addressed to prevent voter disenfranchisement.
However, beyond simply voting, some youths express a desire to get involved in political parties outside the APC and PDP. They feel that the existing options present limited choices and argue that picking between these parties is like choosing “between the devil and the deep blue sea.” This dissatisfaction reflects widespread concerns about Nigeria’s economy, rampant inflation, unemployment, and insecurity. The worsening economic situation fuels insecurity, and vice versa, indicating that political solutions are intrinsically linked to economic ones.
While the newly passed electoral act represents a significant step toward credible elections, more must be done to improve Nigeria’s political landscape. We must commend the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Senate President, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives for enabling the new law. However, expecting more from the current leadership may be unrealistic. Nigerians must actively confront voter apathy and get more involved in party politics. The idea that political parties will change based solely on external pressures is flawed—change must come from within the system.
In light of this, I encourage all Nigerians, both at home and abroad, to join political parties and contribute to internal reforms. Political parties cannot improve without active members pushing for change from within. Inspired by data showing that more than 40% of Nigerians disapprove of APC and PDP, I evaluated other registered political parties, using seven key criteria: party manifesto, leadership quality, openness to youth and women, commitment to internal democracy, and my personal comfort within the party. Based on these considerations, I ranked 16 smaller political parties and joined one that aligns with my values.
Encouraging others to follow suit, I urge Nigerians to assess political parties against their own priorities and find platforms where they feel welcomed. We cannot afford to sit on the sidelines anymore, especially when the stakes are high. For those advocating restructuring, a new constitution, or even secession, I urge you to first elect leaders who can navigate the immediate crises of unemployment, inflation, and insecurity. Our political engagement must shift from passive to active as we approach the 2023 elections.
In conclusion, the time for passive observation is over. If Nigerians want to see real change, it requires getting involved, taking action, and ensuring that political parties reflect the needs and aspirations of the people. The 2023 elections represent a pivotal moment for the country—let’s make sure we are ready to shape its future.
