Nigeria have been enjoying a long run of a never ending democracy but the quality of this government has to be improved drastically.
During the past 2019 elections, not up to 50% of eligible Nigerians casted their votes and if something similar to that happens in the 2023 election, it would further sabotage the reputation of the poll. But due to the constant insecurity in the country, constant embezzlement of public funds, the difficulty of permanent Voters Card(PVC) registration in less secured areas in Nigeria and the disinformation and misinformation that will most likely come forth on the day of election will make more citizens to vote in the 2023 election.
The count down to the 2023 election is fast and this election will be the seventh election of Nigeria since democracy in 1999(the longest time in the history of Nigeria).
The dates however for the 2023 election have been set by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), The National Assemble poll and the presidential poll has been set to be Feb 25 while the subnational elections and the governorship election has been set to be on March 11.
This election will be carried out under a new framework - the electoral act 2022. This Act further allows INEC view the result made under financial or dures inducement, prolong the campaign time from ninety days to 150days and the act also enables the use of science and technology to define the ways in which voting is carried out and the results.
People believe that these taken measures will help in the management of the situation in which inaccurate result is stated, brings out fully the potential of contestants to explore every aspect of the country thereby eradicating any form of electoral manipulation.
This Act has spontaneously increased the financial requirements of campaigning, From a billion Naira to Five billion for candidates who wishes to aspire for the office of the president. Just as the presidential post, all other posts has also been increased by five times without putting efforts in the improvement of the perusals of compliance limitations.
Presidential contestants
The act demands that political parties submit their candidates names six months before the day of election. When signing this act, the current president Buhari requested to remove the section that stands against the participation of office holders I'm the political party primaries be eradicated, but the National Assembly did not heed to what Mr president said and this means that most of Mr president's ministers will not be able to partake in the election because they are holding an existing office.
During the end of may, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) delegates selected a presidential candidate - Atiku Abubakar to be their contestantz.just as it was done in 2019. He will contest for rhe presidency position with Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress (APC). Ahmed Tinubu has however come forth as a victor from a struggle with 28 contestants who paid a hundred million Naira each just to buy the party's nomination form
The past and present?
Atiku and Ahmed Tinubu are currently the Frontline candidates in this upcoming 2023 election and both of them hace a war chest. In 2007, they worked hand in hand when Tinubu's party (Action Congress) fielded Atiku, as well as the vice president as their flag bearer, also in 2015 when both of them was the promoters of the All Progressive Congress (APC). With the scene of over 58% of the countrys population being youths, not excluding events like the end SARS protest, the perspective of increasing an inter-generational divide is very clear.
The third force which could raise the possibility of Nigerians first runoff for the presidential election is Peter Obi who gave up the People Democratic Party (PDP) primaries and decides to be the flagbearer of the Labour Party, and Rabiu Kwankwaso. Peter Obi however has cultivated am online following in the midst of Nigerian young voters, equally, Rabiu Kwankwaso is also popular in the midst of the young voters of Kano State.
In an attempt to generate a strong third party force seems to be accoucheused as different parties such as the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), People's Redemption Party ( PRP), and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) came to whether to build one body of alliance under umbrella of the Labour Party (LP). Jointly, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso could really shake the presidential race.
Challenges to be faced
The froth coming election will be one of the most difficult election to conduct in the country Nigeria because the country battles with constant insecurity.
The Boko Haram problem that took place during the 2015 election is not yet resolved, and also with hoodlums parading the North-West, the upcoming elections will take place in the midst of practical insecurity.
The attack that happened in June 5th on a Catholic church in the peaceful Ondo State got over 40 people dead, and it was a very good and/or perfect reminder of the insecurity of the country that threatens the safety of not only the electoral materials, or the INEC personnels, but also the voters at large.
The emerging off cycled governorship election in Ekiti State and Osun state will probably set an early and clear view of what to be expected in the forth coming general elections.
The chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) by the name of Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, is the first INEC head to receive a 2nd term in the history of Nigeria but while Mahmud has tried in building on the successes of his predecessor - Attahiru by always consulting with the key stake holders. Nigeria is flooded with contestants who are desperate for power and are out to get the power at all cost posible and this posses a great threat to the integrity of election, irrespective of the addition of advanced technologies in election.
Conclusion
The upcoming off cycled governorship election of the Osun state and the Ekiti State in July 16 and June 18 will show an a hint of what to be expected in the forth coming general election but the financial involvement of the season of election is already giving a strain on the economy. The worth of a dollar is currently at 600 naira in the black market as thousands, if not millions of dollars are constantly used up by contestants at every level to secure support.
Thank you for going through.