25 million people were captured by the two major political parties among over 80 million registered voters in the last elections. The youth believe that more than 40 million indifferent Nigerians who did not participate then and new registered voters can make a huge difference on the outcome of the 2023 general elections
IT News Nigeria: Analysis
A new revolution is underway in Nigeria. Not by guns or placards but by the power to chose. It is Permanent Voters Card (PVC) revolution! Across the States there is unprecedented surge in the number of citizens that wish to register as voters for the forthcoming elections. The sudden turnout of prospective registrants is overwhelming.
In 2019, there were a total of 82,344,107 registered voters. Turnout was 34.75%, an increase of over 6 percentage points from 31.34% in 2014. President Muhammadu Buhari of All Progressive Congress (APC) won by 15,191,847 votes while Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) garnered 11,262,978 votes. This deficit of over 40 million, it is believed, will be the game changer comes 2023 presidential elections.
The motives behind the forcible overthrow of an old order in favour of a new system using the power of the ballot is evident.
“I dedicated my Friday for pre-registration & mobilization of eligible voters in my community to decongest the crowd at INEC office. I’d rather sacrifice 8 days registering people than 8 years suffering from poor leadership,” a voter named Okonkwo wrote on Twitter.
Another one said : “With all I’ve seen so far, the hunger in the youths, 2023 is going to be very interesting. Thanks to Peter Obi, the youths are now Woke. Election Day will be most interesting & hilarious bcos people will camp all night to vote. So INEC must be ready & BVAS Machines must work.”
@thenationsalt was upbeat. “My problem is that APC and PDP don’t know what’s coming. These are Gen Z for PO (Labour party) at TBS Lagos today to register for PVC for the first time in their lives. Can @inecnigeria call off the election and declare Peter obi the president already”.
But there is accusation that INEC itself is subverting the efforts of the youth to get registered.
“Voter Suppression across Nigeria is HUGE. INEC is overwhelmed. And this cut across all regions. The youths turnout in their thousands to register, but INEC is either understaffed or they don’t have machines. The youths of Nigeria are ready. But @inecnigeria is now the PROBLEM,” a concerned youth said.
An angry youth stated on Twitter today that “Brass Local Government Bayelsa has 10 Machines! TBS(Lagos) has over 30 machines. Dunukofia Local Government has 2. Nnewi Local Government has 2 machines! INEC is intentional about disenfranchising us!”
What did INEC say?
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has acknowledged the voters registration revolution.
In a statement signed today by Barr. Festus Okoye, Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC, said “it received reports from our States indicating an unprecedented surge in the number of citizens that wish to register as voters and the challenges they face across the country. In some States, the sudden turnout of prospective registrants is overwhelming.
“Consequently, the Commission convened an urgent meeting with all the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) yesterday Thursday 9th June 2022 to review the situation so that eligible Nigerians who wish to register are able to do so. The necessity to urgently deploy more voter enrolment machines to ease the congestion at the registration centres was identified as a priority.”
INEC said in response, it has immediately released additional 209 machines deployed mainly to the five South Eastern States, Lagos and Kano where the pressure is most acute, adding that the Commission will monitor the situation over the next few days. Thereafter, it will meet to review the progress of the exercise.
“Every step will be taken and all options will be explored to ensure that eligible Nigerians are given the opportunity to register as voters. The Commission appeals for patience and understanding of all citizens. Every Nigerian who is 18 years of age and above has the constitutional right to register and vote in any part of the country he/she resides without let or hinderance.”
The sudden surge is an affirmation of the increasing confidence Nigerians have in our electoral process. The Commission will continue to ensure that this confidence is sustained.
Time will tell if the election body would rise up to the challenge.
