2023 Elections: Expectations high as Nigeria Holds Census and Polls

By Joshua Samuel The year 2023 will be remembered throughout history as one that will serve as a benchmark for Nigeria. The general elections in 2023 were preceded by the gubernatorial elections in June and July of 2022 in Ekiti and Osun, respectively. Despite the legal disputes, the victories in both gubernatorial elections were praised as extraordinary. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) device was established by Nigeria's election umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to combat electoral fraud in order to attain that degree of success. The arrival of this new technology raised the stakes because it left many politicians perplexed and with no choice but to yield to public opinion. Despite this, it has been claimed in a number of forums that the politicians have been attempting different strategies to get around the BVAS system. Elections in general The presidential election was set for February 2023 by the INEC in 2022. Continuous voter registration and the collection of Permanent Voter Cards were implemented by the commission (PVCs). The effectiveness of the BVAS machines was also put to the test by the electoral umpire, and the results were good. After the results were recorded, INEC made it clear that it will continue using the BVAS machine technology. Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party are the front-runners in the election (NNPP). The dramatis personae are prepared for war, and the scene is set, but the electorates must actively participate if the conflict is to be won. National census of the people The fact that the national population census has been scheduled for 2023 by the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration adds further significance to the year. Due to the paucity of publicity around it, it is still unknown if the exercise will take place this year or not. The most recent census was conducted in March 2006 while the PDP was led by Olusegun Obasanjo. The following census was scheduled to take place in 2016, but it was postponed. The INEC and the NPC have been working behind the scenes to make these two crucial exercises a reality while the general public is celebrating the New Year. Transition The transfer date for every government has typically been May 29 since 1999. Another transition year, 2023, is anticipated to see the inauguration of a new administration on May 29. Additionally, all 36 State legislatures as well as a significant number of State governors will either step down or run for re-election. Many of the elected officials, particularly the legislators, will not be taking up their previous positions in the National or State Houses of Assemblies. The BVAS device and the electronic transmission of election results were made possible by this electoral act. This is thought to have an impact on many politicians who don't have a following.  Insecurity There is the issue of insecurity, which has plagued Nigeria ever since Boko Haram began its war against the country in 2009. Bandits and Biafra agitators also took front stage as the nation struggled to overcome that obstacle. Numerous innocent lives have been lost as a result of their operations keeping the Nigerian military on its toes. Many people now wonder what will happen to the nation once a new government is sworn in by May 29.