Voting is an essential element of democracy in any country and every legal adult citizen has a right to vote. From 18 and above, you can vote in Federal and State elections in Nigeria. According to a Business Day article, Nigeria sits at number 6 as one of the top 8 countries with the most young people. If this is the case, why is there a surge in young people’s apathy toward voting?

Well, there are a couple of reasons why many young people don't vote but in Nigeria, two are more prevalent:

(1) The limited pool of likeable candidates who align with their values and;

(2) Distrust for politicians concerning keeping campaign promises after the election.

Voter apathy is part of the general structural malaise in Nigeria, which is why more young people need to get involved in the electoral process to tackle it. True progress as a nation can only be made if more young people get involved in the political process, both in running for office and voting during elections.

Your Vote Does Count

If you ever think that just one vote in a sea of millions cannot make much of a difference; one notable case in November 2000 was Bush vs Gore. Bush won Florida by 0.009% of the votes cast in the state or 537 votes. If 600 more pro-Gore voters had gone to the polls in Florida that November, there may have been an entirely different president from 2000 to 2008.

Who wins an election sets the course of life at that given time. For example, this tenure dictates the policies on education, the quality of education, and the disbursement of funds for projects. It is alarming to know that if the head is wrong, every other part suffers. Children don’t have a say in the election process, they are dependent on adults to make decisions that impact or impale their lives.

Taking Action Today

One thing we have learned from the pandemic and #EndSARS is the need for people to participate in choosing political leaders who will serve the public’s interest and promote good governance. The human cost of bad governance is evident in the low level of basic infrastructure, educational system, high unemployment, and the number of out-of-school children, amongst others.

The first step to voting in your interests is identifying and understanding your needs. Make a list of your priority issues and use your list to evaluate whether your concerns match up with the party or candidate’s stated priorities and plans.

For the future to be better than the present, the children across the nation and at The Special Foundation need you to vote wisely.

Remember:

The effects of bad governance will catch up with everyone someday.