Democracy in Nigeria is Growing

Parliament and President Elections in Nigeria

An Important Event Takes Place This Weekend in a Key Delegature of the Pallottine Heart of Jesus Province. In the West African Nation of Nigeria, Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Are Being Held.
Since 2017, Nigeria has been part of the German-Austrian Province, and in 2019 it became a Delegature with its seat in Mbaukwu, Anambra State District. The Pallottines in Germany and Austria are following the elections in Africa with great interest, as Provincial Fr. Markus Hau was recently in Nigeria for the ordination of Deacon and Spiritual Director Innocent Uchenna Nwaosuagwu as a priest. This ordination, held in Mbaukwu in southern Nigeria, was conducted by the Bishop of Abakaliki, Peter Nworie Chukwu. Another Nigerian bishop, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has emphasized the importance of the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections for strengthening democracy. He told the Catholic News Agency (KNA) that conditions are favorable for the election on February 25, 2023, to be “sufficiently free, fair, and equal.”

25 Percent of Voters Are Students

According to Bishop Kukah, the younger generation will play a crucial role in these elections. “Today, young people are better informed through social media,” said the bishop. Candidates who, for example, have misappropriated funds find it increasingly challenging to secure votes. Since Muhammadu Buhari cannot run for re-election after eight years in office, the risk of security forces manipulating the election is lower.

“For the first time in the country’s history, no one can predict the outcome. To me, this is a sign that our democracy is growing,” stated Kukah.

This election sees three major contenders, each widely recognized across the nation. Alongside Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), businessman and former governor Peter Obi is also running. Nigeria’s voter register includes 93.4 million people, over nine million more than four years ago. One in four registered voters is a student. To win in the first round, a candidate must secure at least 25 percent of the vote nationwide and a majority in 24 of Nigeria’s 36 states. Otherwise, a runoff election is required.

Previously, Nigeria was part of the Cameroon Region. Following an initiative by the General Council, our Provincial Assembly decided in 2017 to take responsibility for this unit and incorporate it into the Province. The Delegature was officially established on September 1, 2019, with its seat in Mbaukwu, in the southeast region of Anambra State.

Nigeria war früher Teil der Regio Kamerun. Auf Initiative des Generalrates hat unsere Provinzversammlung 2017 beschlossen, die Verantwortung für diese Einheit zu übernehmen und der Provinz anzuschließen. Am 1. September 2019 konnte die Delegatur errichtet werden, ihr Sitz ist Mbaukwu im Distrikt Anambra State, im Südosten des Landes.

Lagos
Lagos ist mit über 14 Millionen Einwohnern die größte Stadt Nigerias. Sie ist die zweitgrößte Stadt Afrikas. Die Metropolregion zählt mit bis zu 24 Mio Menschen zu der bevölkerungsreichsten weltweit. Rund um die Wahltage, aber auch im Nachgang der Wahlen kann es landesweit zu Demonstrationen kommen. Gewalttätige Ausschreitungen können in diesem Zusammenhang nicht ausgeschlossen werden, insbesondere im Raum Lagos.

The Young Generation Longs for Change

With over 200 million inhabitants, Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. It is a multi-ethnic nation where more than 500 languages are spoken. The largest ethnic groups are the predominantly Muslim Hausa-Fulani from the north, along with the mostly Christian Yoruba in the southwest and Igbo in the southeast. About 10% of Nigeria’s population is Catholic.

Poverty Unites People – Politics Divides Them

Social inequality, poverty, and a lack of future prospects fuel ongoing tensions in the country, contributing to repeated violent clashes in various regions. In the northeast, Islamist groups like Boko Haram regularly carry out terrorist attacks, forcing around three million people to flee their villages, some crossing into northern Cameroon. Violent conflicts also occur in northwest Nigeria, where armed gangs conduct raids and kidnappings. Nearly every region in Nigeria faces its own conflict.

Due to its political and economic significance, Nigeria plays a central role within the ECOWAS community and the African Union.

Links to the Nigerian Election:

Report: Alexander Schweda
Sources: KNA, Federal Foreign Office, Pallottines
Photos: Elections in Nigeria (Katrin Gänsler, KNA Photo); Lagos (Bassey Adobe Stock)

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