Oluwabukola Odunwole
The 2023 General Election is fast approaching and one can say many Nigerians are eager to see who will step on the throne for the next four years.
Taking a look at the forthcoming election which will take place on the 25th of February 2023 for the Presidential and 1st of March 2023 for Gubernatorial and State Assembly respectively has caused chaos in the past few weeks.
From fuel scarcity to cash scarcity and now, people’s lives are in danger due to the tight security being pushed out by the government.
Well, the only change to this is for people to take their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) and go to each of their polling zones to cast their votes for whoever they think can make the country better.
The outgoing president of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari ruled for eight good years and people in their own opinion can testify to what they have felt during these years and what they hope for as they plan to vote for a new person.
Now, most people are very skeptical about casting their votes because they feel it might not count but it is safe to know that with or without it being counted, it is one social responsibility as a citizen of the country to do what is right; and doing what is right is to come out and vote.
The rights of every Nigerian citizen to vote are entrenched in chapter four of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why it is people’s social responsibility to cast their votes in the forthcoming election:
1) Active Citizenship
One feels more in control of his/her life if one has voted.
Registered voters connect with people, participate and are more likely to engage in civic and political activities than those who are not registered. The practice of voting also enables a person with the right to question the government about issues and clarifications and become a self-advocate if need be. It also makes the government more responsible by being answerable to people who truly care. Active citizenship keeps the government on its toes and keeps any sudden alarming issues at bay.
2) Social Connections
Voters tend to have stronger social connections, leading to a greater quality of life and increase in convenience.
For the smooth functioning of any country, social connections, that comes through exchanging thoughts during the voting process, impacts voter turnout and decisions in a significant way.
This way, a more socially connected country presents greater opportunities for its every citizen to prosper, grow and benefit.
3) Personal Empowerment
Voting is a basic process that keeps a nation’s governmental system under check and enables the citizens to choose their own representatives. By voting, through the representatives they choose, a citizen can also have a say in important issues of growth, advancement, and development.
Moreover, voting gives people the opportunity to voice their opinion on issues that matter the most. The feeling of empowerment is surely progressive and liberating!
Further benefits such as better health conditions, reduced unemployment, and lower recidivism rates further show why is voting an important responsibility that reaps a plethora of results and opportunities.
It is the right, benefit and obligation to vote as a citizen of the nation and an individual of the society. Make a decision that is informed and cast your vote with the confidence of bringing in the best government for the people of the nation.
