On the evening of October 20th, 2020, Nigeria and the world at large watched live as unarmed protesters at an #EndSARS demonstration against police brutality were gunned down by members of the Nigerian Army at the Lekki area of the country’s commercial hub, Lagos.
The unfortunate event, a bloody climax to protests that had quickly permeated the streets of Nigeria following a rallying call on social media demanding action against an endemic problem of police brutality and eventually, better governance, has set the ball rolling for a social and political awakening among Nigeria’s large youth population. While physical protests are currently on hold, social media has been leveraged greatly in spreading the message across. From grassroots sensitization to efforts made at recalling incompetent government representatives, here are some of the ways Nigerian youths are working hard to secure a seat at the table ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Representation
Representation has always been an important facet of democracy and by extension, government. Nigeria’s incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari was once a military leader with his tenure dating back to 1983. While this might not come off as unusual, the Nigerian political ecosystem has been oversaturated with regurgitated leadership from governors who make the Senate their retirement home to the same crop of former leaders occupying all the major slots on ballot papers. While funding has allowed this to cascade from generation to generation through the two dominating parties: the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigerian youths have hinted at a third disruptive party of their own, the Youth Democratic Party (YDP). Although controversies surround whether or not this would serve as the official youth party come 2023, the Aye Georgina Dakpokpo-chaired party has sparked interest in the direction the polls might take on Election Day.
Accountability
As Nigerians reconcile the events of the past few weeks, it has become more evident now, more than ever before, how lethargic the government has been in its effort to fulfill its side of a democratic bargain. While this complacency has been overlooked over the years, fueled by a strong desire for change, the youth are finally demanding accountability from its elected leaders. Despite the #EndSARS being a massive act of defiance, the recent decision to recall Mrs. Mojisola Alli-Macaulay, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Amuwo Odofin, has opened a pathway that might eventually put elected leaders on their toes.
Led by the Amuwo Odofin Stakeholders Consultative Forum (AOSCF) and supported by the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), legal proceedings are currently underway to recall the Lagos state lawmaker following her “unguided “statement targeting youths during a recent plenary session. While a decision has not been reached, Macaulay’s case has shown Nigerians a new way to demand better service.
Grassroots Mobilisation ahead 2023
Ahead of Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, efforts have already begun in a bid to sensitize members of the rural community on not just the importance of voting, but voting for the right candidate. Vote-buying and the use of the lower class as thugs during the elections have stopped making headline news, normalizing the act despite its criminal nature. Voters in rural areas have been known to allegedly offer votes to the highest bidder. With these communities being an afterthought during government dispensations, election time provides the only opportunity where a quick buck can be made.
Organizations like Sensitization for a New Nigeria (SENN) has taken on the role of educating most of these Nigerians on their rights as individuals, and the roles their elected leaders are supposed to handle. Likewise, other individuals have taken it upon themselves to distribute fliers and other educational materials necessary to ensure that everyone makes an informed choice at the polls. With INEC announcing February 2021 as the kick-off registration of new voters, this is an important aspect of guarantying a level playing field at the polls.
This story is part of our new series on Nigeria where we analyse electoral and political reform in the country ahead of the next general elections in 2023.
