The forthcoming general elections in 2019 have provided a platform for discourse especially for the youths. Several conversations are going on surrounding the candidates as parties conclude their primaries. There have been talk shops about candidates and groups campaigning for different candidates. So far, the contest has been zeroed in on two main candidates, President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the former Vice President, Mr. Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
To drive home some points, those for the President are known as Buharists or Buharideens, while those for the former Vice President are Atikulatists.
Social Media went off with Atikulated hashtags when Atiku Abubakar won the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primaries. Voting, however, won’t be done on the social media, the youth will actually have to go out and vote for the candidate of their choice.
As of now, about 30 registered parties have concluded their primaries and put up their candidates for the presidential elections. Some of the names in the running include; John Gbor (All Progressive Grand Alliance), Chris Okotie (Fresh Democratic Party), Oby Ezekwesili (Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, Omoyele Sowore (African Action Congress), Donald Duke (Social Democratic Party), amongt others. The two top contenders, however, remain the sitting President Buhari and Atiku Abubakar.
Social Media for the most part is filled with the Millennials ( 1981 – 1996, that is, 22-37 years of age ) and the Post-Millennials or Generation Z ( 1997 – present that is 0 – 21 years ). They are the ones who create viral hashtags and are very opinionated on their various social media platforms.They are also the ‘leaders of tomorrow’. The Next Edition decided to find out from them what they really think of the 2019 presidential elections, who they will be rooting for and if they are even registered to vote.
Editimfon Akpan, Product Officer
“The idealist in me knows Kingsley Moghalu is the best candidate. The realist in me knows only one of the two candidates has the major structures all over the country needed to win a presidential election. They are Buhari and Atiku. Out of the two, Atiku is far better than Buhari. Take for instance, indices like education, human capital development, he is better and he is also a liberal and more of a nationalistic figure. Tunde Bakare once called him a “WAZOBIA” man. Compare that to the ethnic bigot and tribalist warlord we have as our president right now. There have been shouts about Atiku’s alleged corruption, but I don’t buy that nonsense. Atiku wasn’t corrupt when he campaigned and supported Buhari in 2015, but suddenly he is corrupt now? Na so so, nonsense and ingredients.
“Atiku is one of the biggest employers of labour in the country, in the words of Jay Z, “He is not a businessman; he is a Business, man.” Compare that to a man that has had 150 cows ever since.
“We have seen how the business man in Trump is turning around the affairs of America. The man has his faults but according to reports, unemployment in the US is at its lowest, plus other great economic indices.
“Atiku as Vice President, superintended over the National Council of Privatization, The GSM revolution that saw Nigeria go from 50,000 to 100 million GSM lines. He privatized many moribund industries that were only sapping the federal purse without yielding profits. He is also youth-friendly, the other one referred to Nigerian youths as lazy. He fought OBJ’s third term gambit. I think that’s part of the reasons OBJ held grudges against him. Buhari has been a monumental disaster and this is coming from a guy that supported him in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015.
“I have my PVC and in 2019, I will be supporting and voting for Atiku/Obi.
I forgot to mention that Peter Obi is the VP candidate. That is also another clincher. A business man that is frugal. He totally turned around the affairs of Anambra state. Before he was Governor, education was so bad in Anambra. Now, Anambra State is always 1st or 2nd in JAMB/WAEC.”
Akopac Essien, Civil Engineer
“I will root for anyone that will get that lifeless president of the lazy Nigerian youths out of that seat. That person I will support. I guess I’m Atikulated for now. I do have my PVC but nobody is worth going all the way to my village to vote. This, however, is subject to change.”
Jane Edu, Customer Service Officer
“I’m not for Buhari or Atiku. I will root for any other person, Oby Ewekwseli specifically. I think if she’s backed up with the right team, Nigeria would move gradually to an appreciable state. I, however, don’t see that happening because everyone is clouded by two parties, so I’ll let them battle who they want. I don’t have my PVC yet but I intend to get it.”
Imeneke Ime, Pilot
“I want someone new. We’ve heard Buhari and seen him. I honestly don’t think that when he’s given another four years there will be much difference. He used most of his years in office visiting the hospital. I think it’s time he steps down and takes care of his health and allow someone vibrant and liberal step in. Nigeria doesn’t need someone rigid to rule. That person for me is Atiku, who else fits that position? Donald Duke might do something good but who am I to predict? That office is big, it needs someone with experience. Atiku was a VP, he has seen the ropes. If his head is in the right place he knows what button to push and set things right.”
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Samuel Gregory, Entrepreneur
“It will be Atiku. I can’t make my vote inconsequential because I’m a realist. However, I doubt if I will vote because I may not be where my PVC is registered at that time.
Amanda Babawande, Entrepreneur
“I do not like the two candidates from the two major parties. I feel they are both of the old school and I’m tired of that. Come 2019, I will be voting SDP that is Donald Duke. I know that party won’t win but I can’t in good faith go and cast my vote for Atiku or Buhari. I have my PVC and I shall vote according to my conscience.”
Morgan Morgan, Food Technologist
“Honestly, I just don’t like Buhari. I’m ATIKULATED, that’s the only PDP position I will be rooting for. I do have my PVC but I doubt if I will travel back home just to vote. Truth is, I would have really loved to support Donald Duke but I know it’s only two parties that can win a major election like this in Nigeria. Since APC has Buhari, PDP has Atiku, I’ll go for Atiku.”
Amos Chukwuma, Hotelier:
“God gives power to whom He chooses. I’ll support and vote for any candidate who has youth-friendly programmes. These are not the best of times in Nigeria. Things are too hard beyond comprehension. So we need divine intervention. Whoever God chooses will win.”
Ngozi Okagbue, Civil Servant:
“I’ll support one of the two most popular candidates. But I’ll wait for them to tell us what they will do differently. I really will vote for someone who can turn things around because of the harsh economic conditions we are experiencing now.”
Brendan Osas, Student:
“This question is tough. But I think my choice is simple. I’ll vote for the candidate of the PDP because it’s always good to try something new when all else fails. Yes, my PVC is intact.”
Ibrahim Badamasi, Student:
“Buhari is the best President we have ever had so I’ll vote for him again and again. For me, it’s say Baba!!! I have my PVC.”
There you have it. The group of people that may have the most to lose if a wrong leader is elected to rule for the next four years have spoken. 2019 will be a highly contested elections and the future of Nigeria may very well depend on the results.
Are you registered to vote? Who will you be rooting for?
