Alfred Ajayi
The Executive Director, Kimpact Development Initiative, (KDI), Bukola Idowu has expressed worry over growing poor participation of Nigerians in electoral processes.
He said Nigeria will witness unprecedent growth and development when citizens become passionate about governance and actively take part in the electoral process.
Idowu stated this in Awka, Anambra State at Naija Elections Youth Outreach Programme tagged “Awka Demtalks”.
He argued that since government and governance are critical in shaping policies that affect lives of citizens, and provision of infrastructure, it must not be left for the politicians alone.
“We’re here to sensitize the people of the importance of voting and participating in governance.
Idowu noted that when people prefer apathy, they deny themselves development.
“Politicians prefer people don’t participate so they can have their way, because these are people who make policies and take decision that affect us in the next four years.
“Nigeria is so blessed because we’re now practicing democracy which is government of, for and by the people. Participation is key.
“This is what makes it different from military or authoritarian government. We are here to encourage eligible residents of Anambra State to come out enmass during the November 8 governorship election.
The KDI ED regretted that due to long period of poor governance, average Nigerians have become comfortable with absence of basic necessities.
He opined that when Nigerians through their votes produce responsible and responsive leaders, they would pray less and serve God better.
“This is because such leaders are capable of providing those facilities dragging them to religious houses.
Nigerians praying for survival
He further explained, “What makes religion to thrive faster in Nigeria is not because of what religion intends to solve, but failure of government.
“Citizens now turn to God to do for them what government should have ordinarily done for them.
“The number of hours we spend in churches and mosques praying overnight for roads, light, security and better economy should have been irrelevant if they were provided by government.
Idowu argued that God will not play the role of government, but citizens can through collective efforts install responsible government.
“That’s the difference between us and the western world where virtually everything is working.
“Governance must work, and if it works, we pray less for those things we should not be praying for,”
The State Director, National Orientation Agency, Edozie Ajaegbu, declared the event open, blaming the gap between registered voters and total number of valid votes in the last general elections on apathy.
He said, “Statistics from 2023 general election of registered voters vis-a-vis total number of valid voters in the state revealed stark reality of need for electoral and democratic information in the State.
“The huge gap between the TNRV and TVV (24.2%) is a reflection of voter’s apathy/low voter’s turnout which needs to be addressed through electoral and democratic information,” he said.
Useful collaboration
Ajaegbu expressed NOA’s readiness to collaborate with KDI in deepen citizens knowledge about the AI powered tool for electoral and democratic information.
“Civic/political education is a statutory responsibility of NOA in the areas of mass mobilization, sensitization, and public enlightenment.
“This, therefore, informs the need for a synergy between NOA and Kimpact Development Initiative.
“With the contemporary global digital technology, which gives rise to the Information and Communication Technology ICT, the onerous tasks of disseminating electoral and democratic information has been significantly simplified.
Earlier, KDI’s Program Manager, Abiodun Banjoko, said the event was an opportunity for youths not just to talk about democracy, but to talk within democracy.
The event he noted also affords them opportunity of sharing ideas, raising questions, and claiming their space in Nigeria’s political future.
“Our democracy is only as strong as the voices that engage with it. This gathering is about making those voices louder, bolder, and more effective.
“Today, we hope to ignite fresh thinking on how young people can lead change and build democratic resilience in Nigeria,” he concluded.
