The subject of politics in Nigeria has been a never-ending discussion that has been in existence for long. Politics in Nigeria as we know it today dates back to 66 years ago, after the post-colonial era and the attainment of independence from British rulership.
According to experts, “Politics are the actions or activities concerned with achieving and using power in a country or society." However, this power and activities have been wielded clockwise in the dealings of the Nigerian systems. It would be best if you read on to discover why and how and the possible strategies put in place by young people to effect a change.
For many decades now, politics in Nigeria has been dominated by the three major ethnic groups in the country. The presence of this diversity has brought about differing nuances in the political setting in Nigeria. The politics in Nigeria is deep-rooted in ethnicity, which has made it become more or less a communal right of the people.
Since Independence, the political systems of the government in Nigeria have been affected by conflicts and controversies, and so have Nigeria’s economy, growth, and development. As a result of this instability, the military intervened and took up power in 1966, but this changed little or nothing in the country's current political systems, as it is still saddled with the age-long poor standard of living and inadequacies. Which still begs the question, what is the role of the government?
Politics in Nigeria has been an integral part of the Nigerian government since independence in 1960. Several political parties have been created to represent different interests and ideologies. These political parties make it easier for the people to choose their preferred representative. Through these parties, new leaders are brought into power.
However, there are so many prevailing political parties in Nigeria that most people are unsure of the appropriate party that best interprets their interests, ideals, etc. This uncertainty has led to the misrepresentation of the people and the misappropriation of power wielded by most of these party candidates when they eventually get into power.
Through the years, Nigeria has been plagued by corruption, terrorism, unemployment, insecurity, and so much more. Even the political systems are not spared, as these political parties are characterised by fraud, manipulations of electoral results, rigging, and all forms of electoral malpractice.
The leaders are saddled with long records of corruption and incompetence. Over the years, politicians' misappropriation of this power has disrupted the country's stability.
For politics to thrive in present-day Nigeria, there would be political parties. These political parties form an integral part of Nigeria's politics and create a platform for the electorate and politicians to assemble to formulate and gather political objectives and ideologies.
Nigeria is a populated country with multifaceted ethnic and religious groups. However, the country has been lagging due to the mismanagement of these differing systems. There have been repeated cases of ethnic rivalry, both in the political systems and the country at large.
This rivalry has existed between the Northerners, Southerners, Easterners, and Westerners. There have also been religious disputes, including the Sharia debate, among other contradictions like the marginalisation of people from differing ethnic groups and other disparities in underlying structures between northern and southern states.
Since the foremost elections, nothing substantial has changed in the country's politics on the part of the politicians and the masses. The role of the government in effecting change in the country has been ineffective.
With over 65 million young people aged 10-24, Nigeria has one of the largest youth populations in the world, symbolizing a remarkable opportunity for growth and development. However, the government’s indifference and failure to deliver have increased the demand for change by the teeming population of young people in Nigeria.
However, since 2020, after the reported massacre of the Nigerian Youths during the EndSars protest, there has been a reawakening among young persons. This has been evident in the buildup to the forthcoming 2023 elections.
Behind this has been the belief by many that there's a new dawn of political uprising. This feeling started with the "Not Too Young to Run Campaign" —this campaign has paved the way for young people to participate and get actively involved in the political affairs of their country. Early signs of this reawakening were the increased youthful participation in the 2019 election.
This new approach has brought about hope among Nigerians that there will be, in the nearest future, an adequate representation of the progressive society which will yield the desired outcome.
The top priorities are a change in the socio-economic welfare of the country, an upgrade in the political systems, a new approach to the security of the people, and also a keen interest in the well-being and development of Nigerians at large, irrespective of cultural differences.
The power of youth is the commonwealth of the entire world. It's a new era, the age of young people– the era of new ideologies and objectives. The youths are characterized by daring qualities, unwavering courage, and great vision as regards the dawn of the political uprising in recent times.
Many describe 2023 as a second chance granted to young people to achieve their long-desired aim. It is the era that bears the possibilities of regeneration of dying or death dreams, a rebirth of lost ideals, and shrugging off corrupt practices that have tied Nigerians and relegated the country to one of the world's poorest in the world.
The year 2023 has been termed the age where young people will arise and say no to the age-long bondage that has shrouded their dreams, and as the new dawn draws nigh, this question has been recurrent in the ears of the world, "Will Young People Carry The Day?"
In response to the prevalent happenings in the country, Nigerian youths are taking their future into their hands by coming together to build up their armory in preparation for the forthcoming elections. Statistics show that the number of Nigeria’s youths who have completed their Permanent Voters Card registrations is over 71 percent.
Looking at the ongoing activities that herald the 2023 elections, one can readily say that the young people are awake. The 2020 EndSars Protest, which took a lot of lives, opened up the eyes of young Nigerians to take up and be actively involved in the political affairs of the country. The youths have responded accordingly, as was seen in the recent governorship elections in Osun State, where the youths actively got involved in determining the winner. According to data provided, 40 percent of voters in the state are between 18 and 34 years old.
As the 2023 elections draw near, the young people are reminded that the key to securing their future, dreams, aspirations, and the interest of the youths and Nigerians is finally here. The young people have been actively procuring their permanent voter's cards against the 2023 elections. They have been actively engaged in productive campaigns that will cause a positive difference in the country.
There is a lot of opportunity for youth inclusion in Nigerian politics, and the youths have taken that up by actively getting involved in present-day politics.
Unlike in past years, young people are more focused, charged, and passionate about the forthcoming elections. The enthusiasm, courage, and involvement of the young people can not be overemphasized.
The youths have demonstrated a great disgust for present-day situations. They have vowed to effect a change in the rapacious political systems. They have presented their preferred young, vibrant, active candidate who possesses "The Structure" needed to remedy their future and their unborn generation. The youths are already carrying the day.
