Of Ballots, Beliefs and the Democracy Between

Nigeria feels like something out of a slow-burn horror story. Everyday, there’s a new story in the news that causes people to despair. Staying informed, while staying happy seems like an impossible task. In the midst of everything going on, it is easy to pretend like the elections are ages away and forget how some conversations are better had now rather than later.

Today on PoliZ Life, we consider two people:On one hand is Theresa (29), a Corps Member, who doesn’t have a voter’s card yet, but believes that rooting out corrupt leaders is the solution to Nigeria’s many problems. Second is Architect Femi (57), who has a voter’s card, yet like Theresa, didn’t vote at the last elections, but is currently in a place of prayer for Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Let’s start with Theresa’s story. We began by asking her about her NYSC experience so far:

My NYSC experience has been very stressful and exhausting. From staying up all night to receive a link while avoiding traffic on the site, to going to camp which was a mixture of fun and stress, to resuming at my PPA without accommodation and spending more than I budgeted. Some people make it seem fun and easy till you get there and realize it’s exhausting.

On the last and upcoming elections…

I didn’t vote during the last elections. I don’t have a voter’s card. The last time I tried to get one I just couldn’t. I had to leave school to Osogbo to register, and I will have to either visit Osogbo anytime I want to vote or request for a transfer. Feels like stress to me. However, I’ll be voting in the next elections as long as I can get a voter’s card without too much stress.

On her expectations for the upcoming elections, Nigeria’s biggest problem at the moment, and her first act if she became President today…

I’m finding it hard to pick which is the biggest problem right now: from insecurity, to the poor health sector, to high rate of poverty. Every aspect needs urgent attention.If I were to be president, I would first of all fish out the corrupt leaders, that’s like the only way to have a better country. Like from the senators, both federal and state to governors to local governments to the military literally every sector.

Theresa’s story briefly touches on some of the challenges corp members face, and reveals the multifaceted nature of the problems facing the average Nigerian youth. It also reveals how the NYSC programme disenfranchises, perhaps unintentionally, some corp members. Your voter’s card can only be used in the polling unit it was registered with, and for Theresa and perhaps many others, it may not be worth the stress of trying to change your polling unit during your service year.

Arc. Femi did not vote for similar reasons as Theresa. However, beyond the stress of changing his polling unit, there was more to his story:

On voting in the last elections and plans to vote in the upcoming election…

No, I did not (vote in the last elections). I registered to vote in Lagos, while I was domiciled in Oshogbo, my hometown. It was also rather convenient as I was undecided on who to choose. I am still undecided about voting at the next elections. Maybe I could be decided by then but not now.

Is your indecision because you do not think any of the candidates are worthy of your vote? Would that change if you find a suitable candidate?

Truly I am hoping there can be a candidate that would make a difference. It has been promises upon promises all through my lifetime so far. If I can be convinced that it would be change for the better, it wouldn’t be that difficult to decide who to vote for.

On expectations and hopes for the upcoming elections and Nigeria as a whole…

My hopes and expectations are dwindled as I’m in a place of prayer for God to intervene in Nigeria’s situation.

I’m not sure prayers alone can bring about change. What do you think?

Prayer does help. Especially if everyone is praying for a good cause. You may be right that my single prayer won’t make a difference. So it would be my additional prayer for everyone to pray along.

Like Arc. Femi, many have lost hope and expectations continue to dwindle with each passing day. Some, like him, do not find hope in any of the candidates and have decided to abstain from the elections altogether, choosing the comfort of prayers instead.

How about you? Where do you stand? Do you still have hope? Would you be voting at the 2027 general elections? Actually, before that, do you have your voter’s card?