After schooling, I came to Lagos for a greener pasture. I have been living here for 13 years.
Before the election, there was a cordial relationship with people from other tribes. We had a good time, we played. We were like, this 2023 election is a big one, we’ve never had [something like it] in Nigeria. It was like big lions ready to fight. Any time we sit, we discuss it as something big. But after the election, everybody minds their business. There is no way you will be humiliated and you will be happy.
The 2023 election, would I say it’s a do-or-die affair? On the election day, what I saw, I don’t want to see again. It was like warfare. I was like, Is it this country that we are in or they brought another country to us? People were beaten with canes because of the election. They were even dictating where to vote and who to vote for, while the election is your right to vote for whoever you want. Because of what happened, some people have decided not to vote again. What we were told was that it was going to be a free and fair election, but I did not see that.
What I experienced that very day, I don’t want it to occur again. I was so intimidated. A lot was said to me. “Who are these people? Where did these bastards come from? We will take back our land.”
The previous elections held were not as hot as those of 2023. Not that the previous ones were not hot, but 2023 was the height of it. It wasn’t what we expected.
It affected me a lot. I was afraid to come out because I had never experienced such in my life. I questioned if it meant we would not have the right to vote, as people were being denied their right. You run for your life, but when you think it’s your right, you go back and fight for it.
On that very day, concerning security, it wasn’t that much. I don’t really understand what happened that day. Because the crisis was much worse.
If it were a fair election, there wouldn’t have been a crisis and fighting. Everything would have gone the way it was supposed to be. The intimidation I faced was because of my vote. A lot happened after the presidential election. The presidential election was tough, but the governorship election was tougher. I wasn’t happy about the intimidation. It was war. It really affected me seriously.
What I will say concerning the 2027 election is that there should be more security. Each polling unit should be provided with security. Let it not be like the previous one. Because if there is enough security, I believe it will help a lot.
Whatever it may be, you cannot get a better Nigeria without fighting for a better Nigeria. It’s just like when you are looking for a job. You will keep searching, submitting your CV until you get that job. No retreat, no surrender. I want a peaceful election in 2027. I look forward to a better Nigeria.
As narrated by: Esther Orajah (Lagos, Nigeria).
This snippet is published as part of the series, Not Your Lagos.
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