Presidential Election in Nigeria 2023 Trial and Tribulation of Democracy

Abstract

Political power to the people is the key to democracy. The famous Abraham Lincoln saying, government of the people, for the people and by the people, provides the basic structure of a democratic system. If the general masses are the custodian of power, then there must be a mechanism which should make the people the trustee of power. Election of the person or group of persons to exercise that power is the mechanism needed for the system. Nigerians love democracy. After much trial and tribulation, they have adopted a presidential democratic system. The next Presidential election in Nigeria will be held in February 2023. The election process is so lengthy and cumbersome that it takes a year from the day when political parties announce the names of their candidates till a voter comes out from his home to the pooling booth to cast his/ her vote in favor of his chosen candidate. Nigeria is beset with the problems of regionalism, ethnicity, religious favoritism. Cultural diversity, political instability, low economic growth, in spite of the flow of billion dollars’ worth of oil, are yet other problems, Nigerians must face to survive as a strong, viable modern, democratic state in Africa. Last but not least, a candidate in order to win the office of the Presidency, must overcome two constitutional hurdles. First, he must have received a plurality of votes cast in his favor. 2nd he must have received at least 25% of votes in two thirds of the total number of states. It means the candidate must have received 25% of votes in 24 states out of the total 36 states. Presidential system of Nigeria is so lucrative particularly to the Western media that it cannot afford to ignore it dynamic nature. Nigeria will now serve as an example of democracy in the third world. It will be a beacon light.