Chude Jideonwo: We must vote massively in 2023 — even if for a ‘wrong candidate’

Chude Jideonwo, the media entrepreneur, has called on Nigerians to turn out massively to vote in the 2023 elections.

Jideonwo spoke on Monday at the public presentation of ‘Footprints: Past. Present. Future’, a book by Enough Is Enough (EiE) Nigeria.

The book, which details EiE’s history of advocacy in the country, features 47 contributors including Tunde Bakare, 2Baba, Aisha Yesufu and Seun Onigbinde.

Speaking on a panel session at the launch, Chude described democracy as “a better option than the best dictatorship”, adding that each election cycle should serve as a deterrent to potential coup plotters.

He added that Nigerians must come out to vote massively “even if we vote for the so-called wrong candidate”.

“A robust democracy is signalled by the turnout. How many people believe enough in the process to show up? — 1999 was the first time I experienced democracy, and it matters to me greatly,” he said.

“With each election, we send messages to coup plotters that we have chosen this way of life. That no matter what is happening, democracy is a better option than the best dictatorship.

“And so, coming out to vote is a crucial thing. Turn out, even if we vote for the so-called wrong candidate, let it be resonant that this was the choice that we made.”

On her part, Rinu Oduala, a human rights advocate and one of the leading voices of the #EndSARS protest, said the movement has spurred the investment of young people in the 2023 elections.

#EndSARS protest was a 2020 mass demonstration of Nigerian youth against police brutality.

She added that the movement also rid young people of tribalism and endeared unity among them.

“#EndSARS gave us a sense of unity, especially among young Nigerians. It gave us the understanding that we don’t need our tribesmen to be there for us to make this country better. That we all have to come together to say let us move this country forward,” Oduala said.

“And we are harvesting that today, especially with the election approaches. Arguably, young people are more invested in the 2023 elections than in the previous elections.”