I was born and brought up in Lagos. The presidential election was fair, but the governorship was not because most people who wanted to vote for their candidates were not allowed. A lot of them were flogged by hoodlums and they could not vote. Due to the harassment, they were prevented from voting for the candidate of their choice. I also did not vote simply because of the harassment. The atmosphere was tense and people became afraid because of what they were seeing around them. Many people who came out with the intention to vote quietly started leaving the polling area.
That kind of incident shows we don’t have security. As a patriotic Nigerian, it is your right to vote for your candidate without any harassment. But I noticed that day, it wasn’t so. If you want to vote for your candidate and they know you are from a particular tribe, you will be flogged. That experience made many people feel unsafe and discouraged because elections are supposed to be peaceful and open to everybody, regardless of tribe or background.
I know a man, my neighbour, who was flogged and brutally wounded. He had to visit the hospital to take care of himself after the election. In the next election, if they are not encouraged to put away their fear and come out to vote, many of them will not vote. It is only when they know that there is adequate security. A lot of people became discouraged because they believed nobody was there to protect them. People need confidence and assurance that their safety will be guaranteed before they can freely participate again.
I voted once before 2023 and the difference is clear. In 2023, voting for your candidate peacefully wasn’t made possible due to the harassment. This is the first time such happened. In the previous election I participated in, people voted and returned home peacefully without fear or tension.
People you interact with before, the friendship began to decrease and become distant, unlike before the election. The relationship is still there, but not like before, where you can collect whatever you like.
I believe we were targeted due to the tribe and ethnic differences. “If you know they are Igbo, don’t allow them to vote because Obi is who they want to vote for.” “This one is omo Igbo, they shouldn’t vote. If you vote, we will beat you mercilessly.” Those were some of the words directed at me and others present.
I became scared because of those statements. But sometimes courage is picked. I don’t believe it’s going to happen in 2027. The fact that I was scared in 2023 does not stop me from voting in 2027. As a patriotic Nigerian, I have the right to vote for my candidate.
What drives my passion is simply that I want a better Nigeria. I cannot refuse to vote and get a better Nigeria. It is my right and duty to vote again.
As narrated by: Osomoje Hope (Lagos, Nigeria).
This snippet is published as part of the series, Not Your Lagos.
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