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Voice of Emancipation: The Mirage of Nigerian Elections
By Kayode Emola
If any country can be said to waste valuable resources in conducting elections, then most African countries would be high in the rankings, with Nigeria at the top of the list. And the agony of it all is that these elections, rather than highlighting the best of the best to rule the people, just recycle the same old men who wilfully destroyed the good fortunes of the country and brought development to its knees.
Many people like me born in the 80s or earlier witnessed the presidential election in 1993, the freest and fairest election seen in Nigeria. Voters didn’t have to be bribed to vote, and there was no secret ballot: every voter queued up behind their candidate and a tally was taken.
One would have expected that as technology has evolved, so also would the voting process, creating a seamless voting system that makes it easy for the electorate to choose their candidate. In Nigeria however, the reverse is the case: the voting system continues to be increasingly complicated, consequently disenfranchising millions of people and dispossessing them of their right and civic duty to elect their representatives.
The worst scenarios are those where a political party endorses a candidate who is a criminal. Rather than the government to stonewall this, it openly supports this criminality. This has a profoundly detrimental effect on the nation, yet we are all openly happy about it. No wonder Nigeria is the way it is.
How can we plant orange pips and expect to harvest apples? We cannot elect criminals and expect a harvest of good politicians. The place for criminals ought to be the prison, yet in Nigeria they are placed in government houses. People fear the armed robbers who attack us at night with guns, but cheer the day time robbers in the government houses who attack us with pen. Yet the latter are even more fearsome, for they steal not only our present but our future and that of our children and the children yet unborn.
The first and only election in which I ever participated as an INEC ad-hoc official was the 2011 elections and it cost the government over ₦97 billion. The turnout in that election was around 30%, with majority of ballot papers unused and wasted. Today, elections in Nigeria cost nothing less than ₦200 billion, with the outcome being only the production of the highest criminals in the country.
The election process could easily be simplified and digitised, increasing the numbers of people who have the opportunity to register and vote. However, the ruling class have their own agenda, so employ their manipulative skills to create obstacles for the electorate at every stage of the electoral process.
In the UK’s most recent local council elections, held in May of this year, I didn’t even remember to vote until about 9.30pm. I quickly picked up my voting card and went straight to my polling unit – 12 minutes’ walk or two minutes’ drive – to cast my ballot. I got there at about 9.43pm, just in time, as the polls close at 10pm, and within five minutes of my arrival, I had cast my vote for my preferred candidate. The whole process was entirely stress free, because the electoral system in the UK is designed to make voting a convenience rather than an uphill battle.
If we compare the Nigeria electoral system to other advanced systems of electioneering, one is led to wonder if the people ruling us are from an ancient civilisation in the midst of this world of modern technology. Successive governments have made it increasingly difficult for voters to participate in the country’s elections, thereby disenfranchising a lot of eligible voters.
Consider Australia, where, if you fail to vote, you will be fined $20 AUD (Australian dollars) for the first time, potentially increasing to $50 AUD for subsequent transgressions. We must therefore ask; how do they know those who have voted and those who have not? The simple answer is a better electoral setup ensures that eligible voters are captured by computer, from the comfort of their own homes.
One might also look at the UK, where there is nothing like a permanent voter’s card, yet elections are hassle-free, unlike Nigeria. Once a UK resident registers to vote in the local authority area in which they live, their details remain on the database. If you move house, you simply complete a form online stating your new address, and your details are automatically transferred to the relevant local authority area.
This stands in stark contrast to our experience: queueing up in the sun for days, with no guarantee of even being able to register to vote at the end of it, where voters are not given the opportunity to either register or pre-register for the voters’ card. The UK process does not require you begging to be registered or, as is true in in some cases, bribing officials to get you on the electoral register.
Given all these barriers to securing a voters’ card, not to mention the hassle of actually casting one’s vote in Nigeria, it is unsurprising that less than 20% of the population participates in electing the criminals who rule over us. One better way would be to create a system where people can register online, upload a photo and then collect their voter’s card from their local polling unit. However, politicians have a vested interest in retaining their offices, so endeavour to keep the voting system as obstructive as possible. In this manner, the electorate are dissuaded from taking part in the voting process, making it easier for those in office to manipulate the ballot.
Even though they are aware of this deliberate sabotage on the part of the Nigerian government, the Yoruba elders have failed to stand up for a better system, and instead have allowed this poison to infect us all. If care is not taken, we will eventually all be consumed. When we hear of votes in Nigeria elections being cast by citizens of Niger Republic, Chad and Cameroon, know that these immoralities occur only because we have allowed it and continue to do so.
The eligible electorate is supposed to be comprised of those citizens of a country who are resident therein. Where they reside abroad, provision can be made for diaspora voting. People’s eligibility to vote ought to be based on their home address, however, as Nigeria has no means to verify who lives where, it is near impossible to ascertain if someone truly lives where they claim to.
As we step into a new dawn over Yoruba nation, we must improve the electoral process. An electronic system will enable everyone to register to vote from the comfort of their homes. Strict monitoring, potentially including the use of geo IP, will ensure that foreigners are not illegally participating in elections that are meant for citizens alone.
Above all, those who are criminals will be given their correct address: in prison, rather than the government houses. A wise king once said, righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach. If we don’t put those who engage in criminal activity in correct position – incarcerated – then Yoruba nation is fated to be even worse than Nigeria. We must all, therefore, do whatever we can to engender an environment where no eligible voter is disenfranchised of their civic duty. Those who seek to corrupt must be quickly weeded out before they pollute the entire system. By this, hopefully, we can then implement the advice of wise King Solomon and build a righteous nation that will benefit us all.
Telecommunications giant, Globacom, has charged Christians to embrace the virtues that Christ preached as the 2025 Easter celebrations hold this weekend.
While congratulating Christians in Nigeria in a goodwill message released from its Lagos Head Office on Thursday, Globacom admonished them to imbibe the noble qualities of Jesus Christ.
According to Glo, “Peace, love and sacrifice are the central message of Easter. Christ offered himself in atonement for the sins of the world and he lived a life which made Him an eternal symbol of peace and goodwill for mankind”
Globacom charged all Nigerians to espouse the lessons of selflessness, a necessary ingredient in the growth and development of every society and called on all Nigerians to join hands to make Nigeria a better place for all.
The company praised their perseverance through the 40-day Lenten period which comes before Easter as it emphasized the ideals of selflessness, love and peace among all as a way of demonstrating the exemplary life of Jesus Christ.
Easter comes yearly at the end of the Lenten season of fasting and prayer considered as a ritual of purification for the Christian faithful. It also precedes the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ on Good Friday and His eventual resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The company assured its customers of unhindered voice, data and Short Messaging Service (SMS) during and after the Easter celebrations, while urging them to avail themselves of the various data and voice offerings on the network.
Dear Destiny Friends,
Every human being loves to get approval, either for the great work they have done or the ones they are doing. They love to be appreciated and admired. They also love to be given attention when they have something valuable to say or do. In all of these, one thing is certain, there is something special about us, and this special thing makes one unique, and ultimately attracts people to us.
Let’s face it, nobody will admire you, appreciate you, approve you and give you attention if you don’t have anything to offer. The reason most people associate with someone is because they feel or know there’s something they can gain from the person. It’s hard for someone to relate closely with someone who they don’t see potential value in.
There is no doubt each and everyone of us is unique, yes, there’s something unique about you. You can sing, you can write, you can dance, you can lead, you can serve, you can cook, etc. One can even be a good actor, athlete, comedian, or preacher. The list is literally endless. Now, what’s unique about you?
When you discover what’s unique about you, please do all within your reach to nurture and develop it. One day, the right person, who truly appreciates and knows your value will celebrate you.
I have a friend who is exceptionally skilled in writing and developing creative contents. I call him a genius because he can literally write a book within a week. How he does it is what I don’t understand. I was surprised when he once told me he wrote a book and manuscript in one week. According to him, he has been developing the contents mentally, but hasn’t found time to put his thoughts together, and when he finally gets his thoughts together, he was able to write the book and manuscript. This is a typical way of knowing a unique being.
Many, however, do not know what’s unique about them. We focus our energy chasing what is not chasing us instead of focusing on developing what we already have. It’s sad to see young and old people living their lives in an unintentional manner with a belief that somehow lines, favour or opportunities will fall in place for them.
Sometimes, we rely on other people’s affirmation and opinion, and accept it as our fate. For instance, just because one is tall, he might be told he will be a great fit for basketball without considering if the athlete loves basketball; again, just because someone is very intelligent, his parents will encourage him to major in a particular discipline, which is perceived as lucrative without considering if the person likes it pr not.
I once experienced this fate when my late dad inspired me to study taxation law in New York Law School, a major I detest with passion. It was like a suicidal mission for me because I do know, it will take miracle to graduate from the program. How I was able to get a scholarship for my grades and graduate in record time is a story for another day. I’m not wired as a finance person, I will better serve humanity in the social and developmental space where my skills, talents, gift and passion will be better utilized. And ever since I joined the space, I have seen results.
There are many cases where many people lose their identities without knowing they are unique. We are all unique in our individual ways. Just like there are several gifts and talents, we have different skills. When you know what’s unique about you, you will stand out and the world will not only appreciate you, but will celebrate you.
When one discovers the power of their uniqueness, we will gather strength to unleash it to the world. Uniqueness works in several ways. For instance, the mere fact that ten people are genius, talented, skillful or valuable in a particular work, the person with the unique gift is the person who will not only stand out, but will be called upon to do the work.
Let me share more insight. If ten people sing a particular song with a great voice, the person who is called to be a singer will receive a unique appreciation because he/she is working on purpose. That is why it is easy to see a lot of people venturing into a particular form of business, but the favour of the business will not locate them because they are not uniquely destined to do business.
Few years ago, one of my mentors shared a deep insight with me. He said that, as a trained medical doctor, he once observed that despite the fact there are hundreds and thousands of medical doctors practicing their profession. One fateful day, he noticed a particular patient was not responding to treatment despite all the medication that had been given to him by a nurse, his health was deteriorating, then another nurse came and administered the same pill a nurse gave the patient, and the patient began to feel better. What does that tell you? The second nurse was probably working in her purpose which aligns with her profession, and as such the corresponding success. This goes to show that when one is unique, it has a way of robbing off on their work.
Furthermore, he stated that Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, and Beyonce are some of the gifted singers and dancers the world has ever celebrated. He went on to say that we have hundreds and thousands of musicians, but only a few have got the spotlight.
What does that tell you? When you are unique, the world will celebrate you. I have understood that the fastest way to get recognition in life is to work in areas where one’s strength and unique gift will better serve the purpose. This is simply because the world does not celebrate one’s weakness, rather, the world celebrates one’s strength.
In recent times, I have seen myself as a counselor and human inspiration. My counseling skills have enabled me to influence people to live positive lives. Overtime, I have realized that when people share their burden with me, they feel relieved after speaking with me. What amazes me most is the fact that even my elders feel comfortable to relate with me on a cordial basis. Maybe, I have a unique gift for counseling and educating.
Today, I am going to charge you to focus your energy and time on whatever will bring you the highest satisfaction. Even if you are looking for a job, applying for school, or seeking any opportunity, your focus should be centered on what you have that the job, school or opportunity will amplify. When you do so, you will be in high demand.
In conclusion, please affirm to yourself today, I am a unique being with a unique personality, purpose and gift.
Say to yourself, ‘I am original’, and refuse to be fake.
Again confess that your originality, authenticity and uniqueness will attract favours, blessings, opportunities from leaders and queens to you, and you will be celebrated.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny Design Your and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has emerged as the Best Road Safety Agency in Africa. This monumental achievement corroborates the Corps’ almost four decades of dedication, resilience and passion towards safeguarding lives on Nigerian roads.
The Corps, according to a statement made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), received the award at the 3rd edition of the Kofi Annan Road Safety Award held in Elzuwini in the Kingdom of Eswatini, South Africa between 14th and 15th of April 2025.
You may recall that Kofi Annan Road Safety Award was initiated by the Office of the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Road Safety in collaboration with Kofi Annan Foundation to immortalize the contributions of African illustrious son Kofi Annan who served as the Secretary General of the United Nations.
The prestigious Road Safety Management Award represents a badge of honour for Nigeria, and a pure testament of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to unflinching support for the Federal Road Safety Corps and his believe in the Corps’ potential to serve as a model for other African nations. Indeed, FRSC’s tireless efforts to reduce road crashes and promote safe driving practices have paid off, earning recognition across the continent.
The recognition further speaks volume, as well as justifies the giant strides Nigeria has made in ensuring safety of road users and her leadership role in the Sub-region.
Reacting to the recognition, the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed said that it is a testament to FRSC’s unrelenting passion for road safety. He thanked the entire community of the motoring public, stakeholders, partners, and the Nigerian people for their support. Emphasising that together, the Corps was able to achieve the enviable feat because of the collective energy and all round support received from the motoring public.
The Corps Marshal also revealed that FRSC’s winning formula includes, innovative strategies, implementing cutting-edge road safety initiatives that drive results, collaboration, fostering partnerships with stakeholders to promote road safety awareness, community engagement, educating the public on safe driving practices, full deployment of technology and road safety protocols.
The award was received on behalf of the Corps and the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the Principal Staff Officer to the Corps Marshal ACM Meshach Adigizi Jatau.
