In some parts of the world, voting is mandatory. If you don’t vote, you may have to pay a fine or face other penalties. But here in Nigeria, voting is not compulsory. In fact, many people don’t even see the point of voting. Whether you vote or not, no one holds you responsible. Sadly, many feel like their votes don’t really count.
For years, Nigerians have watched elections come and go, and yet very little seems to change. People complain that the same kind of leaders keep coming into power. Often, these leaders are not the people we really want but the ones political parties choose for us. It can feel like we are forced to pick from a list of bad options. This leaves many feeling powerless and discouraged, so they decide not to vote at all.
But it is not just about the candidates. It is also about trust. Many people have lost trust in the system. Some believe elections are rigged. Others think their votes will simply be ignored or changed. With this kind of mindset, it’s easy to understand why people would rather stay at home on election day than join a queue under the sun, only to feel like nothing will change.
There are also those who only vote when they are paid to do so. This is another big problem. When people sell their votes, they sell their voice and their right to complain. It gives bad politicians power and keeps the country in a cycle of poor leadership. Yet, poverty pushes many into this. It’s not always because they want to; sometimes it’s because they feel they have no choice.
The government also has a role to play. People will care more about elections when they believe the government truly cares about them. If hospitals are working, schools are better, roads are fixed, and jobs are available, people will be more interested in who leads them. When people see results, they are more likely to believe in the process.
Now, there are talks about making voting compulsory in Nigeria and punishing those who don’t vote. While that may sound like a good way to improve participation, it can also backfire if people feel forced without real change. What we need first is to rebuild trust and make sure elections are fair, free, and transparent.
On a broader note, human wants are endless. Many young people today are not thinking about responsibility. They live like life is all about enjoyment, spending without saving, expecting inheritance, and forgetting that money without wisdom disappears quickly. Generation Z and Alpha have grown up in a world of “buy now, pay later.” That thinking is dangerous when combined with poor leadership and misplaced priorities.
We all need to be responsible, pyoung and old. Voting is one of the few ways we can shape the future. It’s not perfect, but it is a start. If we don’t show up, others will decide for us. And we may not like their decision.