What Osun has taught Nigerians about the power of their votes
BY AHMAD ADAM LAME
The outcome of the Osun state governorship election should serve as an important lesson to Nigerians ahead of future elections: when citizens come out in large numbers to exercise their democratic rights, their collective voice becomes difficult to ignore.
The Osun election is more than a contest between political parties and candidates. It is another reminder that elections ultimately belong to the people. Political parties may campaign, politicians may make promises, and powerful individuals may attempt to influence the process, but the final decision should rest with the voters.
This is why Nigerians must stop treating their votes as insignificant.
One of the strongest ways citizens can protect their electoral choice is by participating massively and peacefully. When a candidate wins with a clear and substantial margin, the result reflects a much stronger expression of the voters’ collective will. It becomes considerably more difficult for anyone to convincingly claim that the outcome does not represent the people’s choice.
The lesson from Osun should therefore not be limited to Osun State. Nigerians across the country should pay attention.
Too many citizens stay away from elections because they believe their individual vote will not make a difference. Others become discouraged by political disappointments or assume that the outcome has already been decided. But democracy cannot work effectively when the majority surrender their voice to the minority who show up.
Your vote may be only one among millions, but millions of individual votes are what produce an election result.
The responsibility, therefore, lies not only with politicians or electoral institutions. It also lies with ordinary citizens. Nigerians must register, obtain their Permanent Voter’s Cards where required, understand the voting process, come out on election day and cast their votes peacefully.
The Osun experience should remind us that political power ultimately comes from the people. But that power can only be exercised when citizens participate.
We should therefore enter future elections with a different mindset. Do not say, “My vote cannot change anything.” Do not stay at home and allow others to make decisions on your behalf.
Come out and vote.
Vote according to your conscience. Vote peacefully. Respect the choice of others. And, above all, understand that your vote counts.
If Nigerians truly want better leadership, accountability and a stronger democracy, then the journey begins at the polling unit.
Osun has given Nigerians another reason to remember a simple democratic truth: when the people speak clearly through the ballot box, their voice carries weight.
Ahmad Adam Lame writes from the Department of Mass Communication, Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic. He can be contacted via ahmadlame419@gmail.com