Revisiting encounters with ethnic profiling, violence, and disenfranchisement in Nigeria’s 2023 elections.
‘THUGS CAME OVER TO BEAT PEOPLE’
In the 2027 election, I will still vote. I will never allow anybody to intimidate me. Voting is my right.
I’M YORUBA, BUT THEY SAID ‘GO BACK TO ANAMBRA’
“You must do whatever we ask you to do. Whoever we tell you to vote for, that’s who you must vote for, if you like your life.”
‘THIS ONE IS OMO IGBO, THEY SHOULDN’T VOTE’
That experience made many people feel unsafe and discouraged because elections are supposed to be peaceful and open to everybody.
MANY PEOPLE WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL
Nigerians, we forget easily. Before you know it, life returns to normal.
THE THREE POLICE OFFICERS DID NOTHING
This is my country; I will fight for it. I will be voting in 2027 regardless of what happened in 2023.
EVERYTHING TURNED UPSIDE DOWN
Before the election, unity, love and care existed among everyone, but now, everybody is on their own lane because of several instances of abuse.
IT WAS LIKE WARFARE
The presidential election was tough, but the governorship election was tougher.
‘HERE NO BE UNA LAND, MAKE UNA GO BACK’
They don’t want you to even cast your vote. They just want you to stay in your house and not come out.
‘GO BACK TO IMO, YOU CANNOT VOTE HERE’
Yes, my name is Blessing. I hear that comment a lot that I look Igbo, but I’m Yoruba. I’m Ijesha.