*Remarks of Mrs. Olufunke Fadugba at the Ogun State 2025 June 12 symposium ~ on the theme: June 12: Political Reforms and Democratic Consolidation. Consolidating Voters’ Confidence through Technology.
[Salutation]
Considering the significance of the unique date of June 12, 1993 in our national political trajectory, particularly the outstanding record that the election that took place on that day played, and still playing, in our electoral success, I will focus on enhancing voters’ confidence through modern technology. Similarly, in view of advancement in technology, I want to place it on record that whatever technology that will be put in place as part of the electoral process henceforth, there is the need to ensure widespread and effective participation of the voters, especially to enhance their confidence that their voices, through votes, will count in the choice of who their political leaders should be at any election period.
Undoubtedly, going by the 1999 general election, which was the first after the military rule headed by General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) and without technology, voters’ turnout was 52.3%, while in 2015, with the injection of card reader, participation dropped to 43.65% and in the 2023 national election, it was recorded that 26.72% Nigerians took part in the exercise. Indeed, we can see a sharp decline in participation. And, due to this trend, the question should be that what happened to the remaining eligible voters?
Therefore, there is a need to be intentional in renewing the hope of the voters through the current Renewed Hope Agenda mantra of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Without ~doubt~ a doubt, this is the “renewed hope” – as promised by the current All Progressive Congress administration – that the people voted for in the 2023 general elections.
One of the four key noticeable pillars of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Bola Tinubu administration is democracy, which aims to promote democratic governance, strengthen government institutions, and ensure fair and inclusive election. This is germane to our theme today. It behoves on this administration to initiate new ideas, through the Parliament ~,~ to promote increased participation in our electoral voting system. Sincerely speaking, in a democracy, we should note that citizens cannot be forced to participate, but must be convinced of the fairness of the process and its outcome. This is the ideal thing to do not to sponsor a bill to force unwilling citizens, who can exercise their rights legally on their choice to vote or not. Government, as expected of them at all levels, must strive to instill confidence in the people that their votes shall count during election cycles.
Closely related to the first pillar is development.
This pillar emphasises economic growth, production, job creation, and infrastructure development to improve the quality of lives of Nigerians irrespective of place of origin, religion, or political affiliations. This second pillar, which is already being worked upon by the current administration, must be sustained with greater determination. It is the impetus needed to promote people’s interest in the electoral system, thus leading to large turnout during voting exercise.
The government must pursue these two pillars to drive citizens’ interest in the affairs of governance and to show patriotic commitment to their country.
With the current situation in the country, when individuals are facing significant challenges that impact their overall well-being and sense of purpose, government may find it a herculean task to convince the citizens to believe in their electoral system. We have instances where individuals feel overwhelmed, stuck, and unable to reach their goals, hence the increase frustration in the land leading to humongous number of ~Nigerians looking for greener pastures outside their fatherland in several foreign countries, popularly known as “Japa syndrome ” has seen a huge number of our professionals leaving the country for where, according to them, their skills and services are being valued, particularly in dollar compensation. There is no doubt that there are some other Nigerians with weak emotional bases who are experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and difficulties within their families and workplace relationships.
Celebrating any social or private event, that entails feeding without any form of control, publicly will lead to a market place situation where uninvited guests will gatecrash, if only to find something to eat due to hunger in the land. Can we agree that this is how bad the situation has degenerated in our dear country? However, what am I saying here? Unquestionably, what I am telling everyone here present is that the government must, without further delay, use the Renewed Hope Agenda to reinvigorate the participation of voters in our elections in order not to lose the sacred values that electoral system should enjoy in our democracy.
Let me be sincere by submitting that, based on the pieces of empirical evidence available to me and others – including some of you who availed yourselves of the information available in our space – distributing rice or money close to election period has proved to be nothing more than tokenism. In fact, under our electoral act it is an offence punishable by law as such move is nothing but an inducement of voters.
Permit me to further submit that deploying technology during elections without sustained good governance will be ineffective in promoting inclusivity. For instance, do a quick check, and you will see that political office holders who are not deliberate and functional in reaching out to voters often lose their polling units. Therefore, I will call on the government to ensure the following:
Renewed Hope must give genuine hope to the citizens in terms of making living worth the while.
Renewed Hope programmes must be given life beyond sloganism.
Renewed Hope must build trust in the citizens that truly, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Renewed Hope must not employ self-serving or opportunists as messengers of its goodies.
Renewed Hope must always check and double-check on its messengers to avoid failed hope.
For the voters, I will passionately urge you not to lose hope in your country and its electoral system as recently canvassed by the President in his Sallah message. Remember this: when Jesus said it has finished, it was, in fact, the beginning of a new life when he resurrected.
If anyone says it is finished for you or for our country Nigeria, quickly reject it, with the submission that a new life has just begun. Our morning as a nation has come and shall be brighter soon.
However, it is appropriate that we should also show empathy and acknowledge the feelings of those having trying times in our society without dismissing them.
We should not be judgmental , but wear the shoes of others, including those in positions of authorities. As the popular maxim goes, “the rich also cry.”
As patriotic citizens, avoid criticizing or judging those badly hit in this period of our national political reconstruction, but instead create a safe space for them to express their thoughts and feelings.
Finally, Renewed Hope must not be dismissive but should be an impetus to work hard to build trust in ourselves as citizens and the nation, particularly for us to command respect among the comity of nations, and the resultant effects leading to flow of direct foreign investment that we seriously need now to grow our economic and national development.
It is then that technologically driven election can promote participation of voters and build their confidence in national affairs so that we can repeat the feat of electoral cohesion achieved with the turnout and eventual result of the June 12, 1993 election won by the late Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola of the defunct Social Democratic Party of Nigeria, believed to have been the fairest and freest ever conducted in the electoral history of Nigeria.
Technologically driven electoral processes can be meaningful, efficient, and result-oriented in galvanising citizens’ participation when trust in the system is renewed by the political actors.
Thank you for this rare opportunity afforded me to be here today and for listening to me.
*Olufunke Fadugba
Chairman, Penpushing Media Editorial Board/Ex-Chairman Lagos NUJ.
