YOUTH APATHY IN POLITICS AND ITS REASONS IN NIGERIA

 YOUTH APATHY IN POLITICS AND ITS REASONS IN NIGERIA

 Written by Mbibi Longinus Chinagorom(PAA)/09124601622

Delving into youth apathy in politics and its reasons in Nigeria, you might recall that from the beginning of political dispensations in the the world, apolitical has been a problem in political arenas of any country and it is often found among younger voters, the poor, and minority groups. However, it can lead to a loss of democracy, social and psychological damage due to lack of personal political interaction. Thus pave the way to political ills such as corruption and dishonesty among politicians as they are not held accountable.

Nigeria is among the countries in the world still experiencing youth political apathy that form part of deprivation of free and fair election. The upshot of this attitude started in Nigerian youths when the elected Governments have failed to honor their promising to the citizens especially the youths.



As a result of being in difference and apolitical towards political participation is not the way forward. This apolitical consist of interest apathy, voter apathy, and information apathy. This also includes lack of interest in elections, political events, and rallies in Nigeria are the bad way for the youth of the country to follow.

However, despite the tremendous efforts of Mass media trying to sensitizing Nigerian youths to be part of the political system so that they will demonstrate their youthful exuberance and innovative creativity in transforming the poor state of the economy, insecurity, and other myriad challenges facing the country  into positive one and their interest seems to blinking but not really serious.

Also, it is as result of youth unemployment and electoral violence in Nigeria. It is a bane to Nigerian politics. And it has allegedly created lack of interest and participation among youths. Jonah Essien stated that certainly, youth unemployment is one of the problems and it has begetting other crimes. And they are not separable from one another because when youths are not gainfully employed and are not paid unemployment benefits, crimes and violence become inevitable. With such engagements among young people, they will find it difficult to involve in politics. Dike Ogbua opined that in President Buhari’s administration, youth unemployment has become a prima facie that comes to mind each time budget is being presented. But it is quite unfortunate that this policy has not been given adequate enforcement. While Amarachi Obi said Youth unemployment rate in Nigeria has grown higher to the extent that people hardly blame youths for involvement in crimes since the government cannot provide jobs for them and such situation in the country encouraging youth apathy in politics.


Nigerians are not happy especially the young people. This is as a result of poor leadership and corruption in the country influencing the electoral process negatively. Paul Joe opined that electoral violence is another challenge dissuading Nigerian youths not to join politics. This Act always brings about the presence of charlatans in government. Prince Okey added that electoral violence aimed at intimidating, harming, blackmailing a political stakeholder or opponent before, during and after an election with an intention to determine, delay or influence a political process. Therefore inculcating fear in the young people not to have interest to participate in political activities.



The country has experienced democratic dispensations of power since 1999 until now but the cognizance and contributions of youths to the leadership and greatness of the country has not been demonstrated. This calls for great concerned for the youths to come together and have ambition to change the narrative of the country comes 2023 general elections through vying for major executive position like president and legislative post such as senate and house of representatives as permitted by the constitution of the nation.

Clearly, young people are the most valuable assets and political entity of any nation and especially in Nigeria where youths are making their marks in different fields like technology, environmental sanitation, agriculture, public health, and education, among others.

Apart from that, Nigerian youths have been breaking new ground and earn global acclaim in innovation, technology, sports, the arts and entertainment and they must be encouraged to join politics in order to use their potential to fix the country in global standard.

As 2023 presidential election is fast approaching the country needs new breeds of young men and women of positive vision and constructive mission to lead the nation to the Promised Land.

Meanwhile, the National Independent Electoral Commission had commenced voter registration exercise since June 2021 and their weekly report stated that the numbers of people registered especially youths are very poor and it is not encouragement.

However, result of voter registered this week especially the youths are, 1000 nationwide. This extremely frowns at by Civil Society Organizations.

 You could recall in the 2019 general elections, only 35 percent age population of 106.4 million collected their voter cards, only 82 million Nigerians registered and only 28 million of those registered voters eventually voted.

Though there was severe failure of government at all levels and the socio-economic challenges bedeviling the country have contributed to the problem of voter apathy.



The attitude of National Assembly and President Buhari to the electoral act has influence the attitude of Nigerians to the registration process. There has been lots of dilly-dallying. If the President had probably signed the bill since the confidence of Nigerians especially youths would have been boosted but then people do not have the confidence and do not believe in the electoral process because of their votes will not be counted. Godfrey Onukwo opined that this is also another factor promoting absence of Nigeria youths in politics.

In spite of the harmonized version of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill that includes direct, indirect, and consensus methods of nominating candidates by political parties have now been passed by the National Assembly. Nigerians are still waiting for the President to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law; this will always strengthen young people.



Nigerians confidence can be restored especially youths if the Electoral Act Amendment Bill assent particularly the area that concerned the electronic transmission of results. There will be also credibility in the process and dented the legitimacy of elected public office holder. This will essentially change the clause of youth apathy in politics to enthusiastic participation in politics in the country.

 

 

 

 

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