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Politics in Nigeria is a sorry sight. It is ridden with corruption, bribery, manipulation and undemocratic practices. Since the transition from military to civilian and democratic government in Nigeria in 1999, the political space has grown from bad to worse.

Politicians have mastered the art of making bogus promises to the masses during campaign, but immediately they enter into power, they forget their pledge of democracy and promise of a better Nigeria. Without conscience, they loot the national treasury, storing up wealth for their unborn children up to the tenth generation while the masses wallow in poverty and lack. These politicians evade justice and are not brought to book for their corruption.

Politics in Nigeria was never founded on democracy. It was founded on god-fatherism. It is not a question of character, competence and capacity, but a question of who you know and who knows you. There is a circle of ‘Jagabans’ who dictate and run the politics, government and leadership of Nigeria to satisfy their greedy interests.

This corrupt political system rotates leadership among themselves and absorbs political aspirants who pledge allegiance to it. Anyone who doesn’t imbibe the code of conduct of this system will find it difficult to thrive in the political space of Nigeria.

The problem of Nigeria is not that there are no competent politicians with a track record of competence and transparency in public service. The problem of Nigeria is the dirty system of politics that was initiated at the inception of civil rule in Nigeria and which has grown to become a stronghold.

So, no matter how good intentioned politicians are, they only have two choices. It’s either they lower their standards and get absorbed into the system or they keep kicking against this stronghold and have their political hopes and dreams frustrated.

The corrupt political system in Nigeria is lubricated with money (lots of it), connections, bribery, influence and compromise. So, it is not unusual to see politicians distributing big bags of money to delegates, sharing food items to the masses, promising monopoly and contracts to big players in the Nigerian economy, and having promising aspirants compromise, step down and declare their loyalty to them.

In all these, the masses are the ones suffering and bearing the brunt of this political machinery; poor healthcare system, poor quality of education, unemployment, bad roads, epileptic power supply, poverty, insecurity and all whatnot.

So, it is no surprise that the average Nigerian has lost confidence in democracy in Nigeria. Most Nigerians care less about elections and don’t bother to get their voter’s cards. They believe their votes don’t count, else, how would you reconcile the population of Nigeria to the number of voters who turn up for election every four years? Even when they do get their PVCs, they trade it for money, food, or connection.

However, in recent times, the political space in Nigeria is metamorphosing. The youths who were once ignorant and used as thugs and errand boys to run the operations of these ancient politicians are now rising.

The uprising first started in 2017 with the “Not too young to run” movement. The movement gained traction and saw to the passing of the bill “Not Too Young To Run” which reduced the age limit for presidential and governorship positions, and saw a few young people elected into office. That was the first time Nigerian youths got involved in politics.

This year 2022, youth involvement in politics in Nigeria has increased exponentially. There is this political ‘wokeness’ trending everywhere on social media and even physically. Young people are now refusing to be influenced and manipulated to pledge political allegiances. Of course, there are a good number of youths getting into politics for personal and selfish gains. But, it is comforting to know that a greater number of youths are out to elect leaders who have the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians at heart.

Everyone is getting involved. Young people are turning up in droves at PVC registration offices nationwide to register for their PVC. On Sunday 12th June, 2022, youths in Lagos held a concert that was graced by many celebrities to promote youth involvement in politics and demand an extension of the voters’ registration deadline. INEC heard their request, and for the first time, extended the deadline for voters’ registration to enable more people register for their PVCs. Other concerts are slated to be held in all the major cities of Nigeria at different dates.

Now that’s a giant step in the right direction to democracy.

I think it’s safe to say that after the #EndSARS saga, Nigerian youths have taken up responsibility to enforce change in Nigeria. The youths who were once considered disenchanted with politics are now getting involved. The youths who were once interested only in making money, living large and social media popularity, while their future was being plundered, are now taking a more responsible stance.

What a time to be alive in Nigeria.

But, that’s only the beginning of the battle.

There is so much work to be done.

The truth is, despite the current political ‘wokeness’ among the youths, there are still millions of youths who are still in oblivion; the average Christian who does not want to be distracted from kingdom business, the hustlers on the streets who are not aware that their votes count, the thugs and touts who see profiteer from politicking, the staunch loyalists of Yoruba Nation & Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) who are disenchanted with Nigeria and are agitating to be liberated, the people in underserved communities who do not know how much change their vote can wrought, our parents and elders who have grown weary of the realities of Nigeria.

There is a need to reach these people if we are to effect in Nigeria.

We at DO Take Action have launched an urgent #GetYourPVC Drive across the nation to inform, inspire and help drive the good citizens of Nigeria to register for their PVCs.

We are not folding our hands. We are insisting on a better Nigeria. 

This is how we insist. We have printed posters with addresses of PVC registration locations to paste at strategic places to direct people. Our Grassroots Development Champions in all the 36 states of Nigeria have hopped on this mission and are now pasting these posters in their respective communities.

Also, we are mobilising Grassroots Development Champions to go to grassroot communities, institutions, churches, parks, even on the streets to better educate our less informed Nigerians on the power their votes wield.But this is too much work and we need all hands on deck.

Join us as we TAKE ACTION for a better Nigeria.

Click here to learn how you can TAKE ACTION.

#DoTakeAction #GetYourPVC #NigeriaDecides2023