Before Nigerians Give Up on Nigeria

8 min read 1,523 words 1 views

“Furthermore, it is tough when people lose hope in their country. Often the root causes are long standing issues like corruption, lack of opportunities, or broken trust in leadership. The adverse effects can be a brain drain where skilled people leave, a decline in civil engagements, and a sense of hopelessness. But if addressed with genuine reforms and hopeful leadership, that spirit can be reignited”

For this not to happen, we must stop playing games with ourselves as if the country is going to disintegrate tomorrow, an erroneous belief we have held for decades and which has helped to a large extent to weaking the cord of unity. Had we come to terms with the reality that we were destined to live together for life, that positive energy would have done us and the country good than bad. I think it is time to begin to think straight, stop marking time and disallow foreign countries from playing on our intelligence as a people, and with a view to sowing the seed of division among us to further tear us apart. We should go for true democracy and always recognize the difference between politics and governance.

You may wish to know that in Nigeria, elections whether general or off-cycle, are run by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The process starts with the time table, candidate nomination, and voters registration. Then on election date, voters head to polling units, vote and results are announced. Without the accompanying dramas and under normal circumstances, elections should be peaceful and rancor-free.

The Ekiti election that took place on 20^th of June, 2026, served as a mirror, reflecting both progress and pitfall, the voter apathy, vote buying and inconsistencies are lessons reminding us of what we must not repeat. Yet these mis-steps offer a blueprint. To build a credible 2027 elections, we must start now, strengthening institutions, engaging citizens and ensuring fairness. Mistakes are only failures if we don’t learn from them, this is our moment to turn lesson into a proactive path forward.

Voter apathy refers to basically when people just don’t turn out to vote. They are disengaged thinking their votes won’t matter. This happens when people lose trust in the system due to past election rigging and other malpractices without consequences or when all politicians seem all the same to the people. The adverse effect is that democracy weakens, leaders are not truly held accountable. Sometimes the ruling party certainly does encourage apathy, because if fewer people vote, it is easier to keep power. Combating this means rebuilding trust by showing people that their voices do count and making voting needed as a weapon. At this point, the opposition should focus on reigniting hope and should connect directly with the people, showing them that change is possible and that their votes truly matter. They can run grassroot campaigns, listen to people’s frustrations and offer tangible believable solutions. By energizing communities, building trust and making voting easier, they chip away apathy. Once people believe their voice can create real change, momentum builds, and that is powerful.

Vote buying is making people to cast their votes a certain way, often done with money or goods. It is done to manipulate outcomes rather than winning through free choice. Now, while vote buying isn’t violent like terrorism, it is dangerous in another way. It corrodes democracy from within. Where terrorists use fear, vote buyers exploit poverty and desperation, ensuring power stays with those who can pay and not those who deserve to lead, both undermine stability. So, while one is physical violence and the other is manipulations, both hold society hostage, either by force or by stripping society of free will. In both cases, people lose their voice. To combat this, the opposition and civil society must educate voters. Help them understand selling a vote means losing a future. Also enforce strict laws, independent observers, transparent voting, and harsh penalty for offenders. The people can get wiser by forming watchdog groups and reporting any attempts at vote buying. If communities unite around values and demand accountability it makes it harder for money to sway them. The opposition must offer real hope. If people see better alternative, they would choose it over short term gains.

The National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), has made improvements like digital tools in public voter list, but trust is still low. In the 2023 elections, technical glitches undermined transparency, and only about 22 percent of people believed the results were credible. While INEC has had some successes in the past, ongoing irregularities and technical barriers weaken democracy, making people question whether their votes matter. Without a more consistent transparency the risk is that more people would disengage, weakening the political system further.

To make INEC truly independent, the appointment process needs to be depoliticized. Imagine a system where diverse nonpartisan perhaps bodies including civil societies Judiciary members, or even a parliamentary committee, select INEC leadership, instead of the Executive alone. Also, budgetary autonomy is key. If INEC controls its funding without reliance on the presidency, it’s harder to pressure them. Laws could also mandate more transparency, public processes, public oversight and independent audit. The goal is to ensure INEC is accountable to the people and not just the government in power.

However, in the case of a countrylike Nigeria where the political structures are already almost broken, having the retrogressive politicians finagled their way into the heart of the process and it is hard to stop them now people still have powerful tools, peaceful protests, civil engagements, and speaking out through media, whether traditional or social, can apply pressure. Community organizing like forming voter education group, or citizen monitoring bodies can make a difference. Also, people can demand electoral reforms through petitions, advocacy, and holding elected officials accountable. Essentially, the more people shine a light on the issue the harder it becomes for those in power to ignore, and that is how change often begins.

Moreover, the role of the security agents is more often than not underestimated and down played the role of the security agents is critical as one of the safeguards to democracy. If security agents are impartial, they ensure free and fair elections, protect rights, and uphold the rule of law. When they become political tools, it erodes public trust and stifled

Developments, because power is maintained by force and not by the peoples will. A professional, transparent and nonpartisan security sector, creates stability, allowing democracy, economy and society to flourish. In short, their integrity is the backbone of any thriving nation. At this critical moment of the nation’s history, it is important to let the23rd Inspector General of the Nigeria Police Force, Mr. Olatunji Disu, the greatest LASUITE, to understand, that his legacy isn’t tied to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who appointed him, but to how fairly he served the nation, acting with integrity, enforcing the law without bias, and ensuring public safety would earn him respect long after his tenure. By upholding impartiality, he strengthens both the Police Forces credibility and his own career prospects. Ultimately, a trusted professional Force would lead a safer more stable Nigeria and that is a legacy worth building.

Inspector General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu

Furthermore, it is tough when people lose hope in their country. Often the root causes are long standing issues like corruption, lack of opportunities, or broken trust in leadership. The adverse effects can be a brain drain where skilled people leave, a decline in civil engagements, and a sense of hopelessness. But if addressed with genuine reforms and hopeful leadership, that spirit can be reignited. Noteworthy is that, nationalism and patriotism are like two sides of the same love for a country, but they show up differently. Patriotism is that deep positive affection for your homeland, wanting to see it thrive even when things art tough. Nationalism sometimes can be about superiority or exclusivity. When people give up on their country, it is often because they feel that those ideals, hope, unity, and shared progress have been lost Reigniting patriotism can make people feel a part of rebuilding the future again. Kudos to the Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria today, the like of the Yiaga Africa, Amnesty International, and Media Organisations like the Arise Television, the Channels Television and others. Our indefatigable human rights activists, Omoyele Sowore and Verydarkman, more grease to your elbows. Indeed, for Nigerians not to give up on Nigeria, TINUBU MUST GO. Realise that chasing the destructive rats out of the barn of Nigeria, is better than burning down the barn.