Nigerians’ll pray less if they participate in elections – KDI

By Praise Chinecherem

Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) has expressed worry over growing poor participation of Nigerians in electoral processes.

Executive Director, Bukola Idowu stated this on Thursday in Awka, Anambra state at Naija Elections Awka DemTalks Youth Outreach Program tagged Awka Demtalks.

He described government and governance as critical in any society in view of its role in shaping policies, including provisions of basic infrastructure.
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He said an average Nigerian had turned religious as a result of absence of basic necessities to life occasioned by poor governance and citizens inability to participate in political process.

According to him, Nigerians would pray less and serve God better if they vote for responsible leaders capable of providing those facilities dragging them to religious houses.

He said, “What makes religion to thrive faster in Nigeria is not because of what religion intends to solve, but failure of government.

“Citizens now turn to God to do for them what government should have ordinarily done for them.

“The number of hours we spend in churches and mosques praying overnight for roads, light, security and better economy should have been irrelevant if they were provided by government.

“God will not play the role of government, but will do his role which is purely spiritual. We’ll have more time and peace of mind to serve God better If we have responsible government.

“That’s the difference between us and the western world where virtually everything is working. Governance must work, and if it works, we pray less for those things we should not be praying for,”

We’re here to sensitize the people of the importance of voting and participating in governance.

When people prefer apathy, it’s not in anybody’s interest. Government and governance is important in any society.

Infact, politicians prefer people don’t participate so they can have their way, because these are people who make policies and take decision that affect us in the next four years.

Nigeria is so blessed because we’re now practicing democracy which is government of, for and by the people. Participation is key.

This is what makes it different with military or authoritarian government, which is dangerous. We need to come out en-mass in November 8

State Director, National Orientation Agency, Edozie Ajaegbu, while declaring the programme open, blamed huge gap between registered voters and total number of valid voters in the last general elections to voter’s apathy that needed to be addressed through electoral and democratic information

“Statistics from 2023 general election of registered voters vis-a-vis total number of valid voters in the state revealed stark reality of need for electoral and democratic information in the State.

“The huge gap between the TNRV and TVV (24.2%) is a reflection of voter’s apathy/low voter’s turnout which needs to be addressed through electoral and democratic information,” he said.

Ajaegbu assured NOA’s willingness, determination and readiness to collaborate with KDI to deepen the knowledge, attitude and practice of the AI powered tool for electoral and democratic information.

“As part of the mandates of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), civic/political education is a statutory responsibility of NOA in the areas of Mass Mobilization, Sensitization, and public enlightenment.

“This, therefore, informs the need for a synergy between NOA and KIMPACT Development Initiatives.

“With the contemporary global digital technology, which gives rise to the Information and Communication Technology (ICTS), otherwise known as the New Information Communication Technology (NICTs), the onerous tasks of electoral and democratic information have been significantly improved.

Earlier, Program Manager, Abiodun Banjoko, Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) said the event was opportunity for youths not just to talk about democracy, but to talk within democracy, sharing ideas, raising questions, and claiming their space in Nigeria’s political future.

“Our democracy is only as strong as the voices that engage with it. This gathering is about making those voices louder, bolder, and more effective.

“Today, through our interactive demo of the Naija Elections platform, and a dynamic panel discussion, we hope to ignite fresh thinking on how young people can lead change and build democratic resilience in Nigeria.