Nigerians' Faith in Elections Wanes Due to Violence, Vote-Buying - NOA

The National Orientation Agency, NOA, has highlighted several factors that are undermining the confidence of Nigerians in the electoral process. According to the Director of Civic, Values and Democracy Education at the NOA, Olukemi Afolayan, election violence, misinformation, vote-buying, and declining trust are some of the challenges eroding citizens' faith in the democratic process. Afolayan made this statement at an election roundtable discussion organized by Create Studio Nigeria and the Humanitarian Foundation for Social Justice in Abuja. The theme of the discussion was 'Reclaiming Our Vote: Enfranchising a New Generation of Voters.' Afolayan expressed concern that many young Nigerians feel their votes do not count, which contributes to voter apathy. To address this, she emphasized the need to restore citizens' confidence in the democratic process. Afolayan believes that young people are crucial stakeholders in Nigeria's democratic development, given the country's youthful population. She stressed that enfranchising a new generation of voters requires more than just encouraging them to register and vote; it also involves equipping them with civic knowledge and values. The NOA official urged Nigerians to reject vote-buying and selling, resist misinformation, and demand issue-based campaigns from political actors. A university lecturer, Prof Ajibade Michael, suggested that Nigerians above 70 years old should step aside from the country's political system, arguing that younger people are better equipped to determine the nation's future. The lecturer believes that political leadership should prioritize people between the ages of 25 and 70. The Executive Director of the Humanitarian Foundation for Social Justice, Adekunle Adebanjo, stated that the roundtable discussion aimed to bring stakeholders together to assess Nigeria's democratic journey and identify practical ways to strengthen the electoral process. This call comes ahead of the 2027 general elections, amidst concerns over voter apathy, declining trust, and challenges affecting citizens' participation in the electoral process.