Nigeria’s 2023 General Elections: “A clash of the Titans”
By Stephen O Aderinto
Photo credit: thisdaylive.com
The upcoming general elections in Nigeria can be aptly described as “a clash of the titans”, as it represents a political struggle that seems unmatched in Nigeria’s electioneering history. The surge in the news around the elections which are scheduled for February, has reverberated across the entire nation and generated deep conversations amongst the average Nigerians, creating upheavals within the country’s political climate. The elections will include contests for the President, Vice President, and members of the National Assembly, and Governors and State Houses of Assembly. The results of these elections will determine who will lead the country and shape the country’s political and economic future. Both the ruling party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), have fielded candidates in the race. However, other parties such as the Labour Party (LP) and independent candidates are also participating. The 2023 general elections constitute an important election as Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa and one of the largest economies on the continent, decides who takes on the mantle of power for the next four years. “But who are these giants, being referred to in the introductory section of this article?”, one might ask.
Left: Peter Gregory Obi, centre: Bola Ahmed Tinubu and right: Atiku Abubakar
Photo credit: Channelstv.com
They include Atiku Abubakar, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Peter Gregory Obi, belonging to PDP, APC, and LP, respectively, who all bestride Nigeria’s politics like a Colossus. Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a veteran Nigerian politician and former Governor of Lagos State. He is a prominent member of the APC party and considered an influential figure in Nigerian politics. Tinubu served as Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007 and played a key role in the formation of the APC, which emerged as the ruling party in Nigeria following the 2015 presidential election. During his tenure as Lagos State governor, he demonstrated notable leadership in what is considered his successful efforts to modernise and develop the infrastructure of Lagos State.
Bola Ahmed centre with current Nigerian President Muhamadu Buhari on the left
Photo credit: Twitter/Bola Ahmed
Atiku Abubakar is an elder state Nigerian politician and businessman. He served as Nigeria’s Vice-President from 1999 to 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo. He is also a former governor of Adamawa State and a former member of the Nigerian National Assembly. Abubaker has run for President of Nigeria several times, including in 2019 where he lost to the current Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari. He is the running candidate for PDP.
Atiku Abubakar in the centre left with Oba Mohood Photo credit: Twitter/Atiku Abubakar
Peter Obi is a Nigerian politician and businessman who served as the Governor of Anambra State from 2007 to 2014. He is the designated candidate of LP and has previously served as the Vice-Presidential candidate of PDP in the 2019 Nigerian elections.
Photo credit: Twitter/Peter Obi
Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s former rule as the Governor of Lagos State prepared him for future solid leadership, but his alleged recent health challenge has been of concern for many Nigerians. Atiku Abubakar is a choice candidate for some Nigerians, and even though he has been resident in Dubai for quite some time now and away from Nigeria, some people consider him the best candidate to take the presidency. Peter Obi seems to represent the future of the average young Nigerian hopefuls. Although now 61, he is seen as younger and therefore better abled, precocious and more dynamic than the other two candidates. Obi seems to represent the new strain of Nigerian politics everyone longs for. It is no little wonder why the three political candidates are resolute in taking on the mantle of power - they all have robust political profiles and track records. The forthcoming elections are indeed a clash of these three titans in a stereotypical “strongman” contest.
Among Nigerians, inter-religious and inter-tribal conflicts have been a common concern for decades and have always heavily influenced their voting decisions. Needless to say, Nigeria’s 2023 general elections will suffer from these age-long struggles, mainly because the different political candidates belong to different religions and regions of the Nigerian state. Both religious and tribal factors have been used to segregate and polarise communities, leading to heightened tensions and conflicts. Religion has significantly influenced Nigerian politics, with many candidates using their religious beliefs to gain support. The country’s two main religions, Islam and Christianity, have been used to mobilise support and create divisions among voters. Muslim candidates have often used their religious beliefs to gain support from the Muslim population whilst Christian candidates have used similar tactics in the Christian community.
Tribe has also been a major influence in Nigerian elections, with many candidates using their tribal identity to their advantage. The country comprises well over 250 ethnic groups, each with its own unique culture and traditions. For instance, candidates have often used their tribal identity to mobilise support from their own ethnic group and to create divisions among voters. The influence of religion and ethnicity on Nigerian elections has equally led to increased hostilities and clashes among different religious and ethnic groups. It has also hindered the ability of candidates to focus on issue-based politics that are critical to the country’s citizens.
To promote a more peaceful and inclusive electoral process, candidates should focus on issues important to all citizens, regardless of their religious or tribal background. The electorate should be allowed to vote based on their personal beliefs and relatability to the “right candidate” based on policy considerations. However, political parties and their candidates should ensure that their policies and platforms reflect the needs and aspirations of the entire country and not individuals. This year’s general elections in Nigeria provide for a crucial deciding moment, as they will determine the nation’s social, political and economic development direction.
With Nigeria being one of the economic giants of the continent, Nigerians and regional bodies such as ECOWAS and the African Union are reliant on a democratic process that does not inhibit the electorate from making informed decisions about the candidates and parties that align with their values and vision for the country.
This writer invites you to stay tuned as we bring further coverage of the Nigerian elections between January and February.
