Nigeria’s brand image plummets days to general elections
By Zion Rufus
As Nigeria heads to the polls on February 25, 2023, its foreign image appears to continue to nose-dive. This assertion is not unconnected with the prevailing situation which has plunged the nation and its people deeper into confusion and hopelessness.
In the early hours of Friday 17th February 2023, thugs laid siege to areas such as Mile-12, Ikorodu, Agege, Sabo, Ketu, Magboro and Ojota, causing disruption to transportation and other business activities.
From the consequent political fragility and power tussles amongst opposition parties, to severe macroeconomic challenges fueled by the current cash crisis and fuel scarcity, Nigerians now live in panic and silent fear for the outcome of the coming election as hoodlums exploit the current crisis to cause pandemonium less than a fortnight to the general elections.
Although Nigeria has made significant impacts on the global stage in sports, arts, music, and academia, the political crisis has continued to draw negative concerns from international bodies.
Recently, the United Kingdom said the eyes of the world are on Nigeria, and what happens at the 2023 election will send a very strong signal to the rest of the world. This was disclosed by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing while speaking to journalists in Abuja on Thursday.
According to Laing, the United Kingdom is mostly worried about voter suppression, and political thugs trying to prevent people from actually going out to exercise their votes.
The British envoy emphasized the need for the presidential candidates to dissuade their supporters from inciting violence, noting that the British Government will continue to invest in trying to create a condition for a credible, free, fair and secure election.
“Perhaps the thing we are most worried about is post-election violence as we saw when Jonathan took over,” Laing said.
She added: “We shall be looking out for anyone who attempts to violate the electoral process and if it is brought to our attention directly that there are people inciting violence or engaging in hate speech, we can use our policies as tools for sanctions. What will be tragic for Nigeria on this crucial democratic journey where you have been making great strides is if there is a repeat of the 2011 widespread post-election violence.”
Chatham House, known as the Royal Institute of International Affairs also bears a similar viewpoint on Nigeria’s political and security risks.
In February, the Institute stated that Nigeria’s political elites are not known for responsive leadership.
According to the Chatham House report, the capacity of Nigerian politicians for corruption and enrichment through enduring patronage mechanisms has severely inhibited the country’s democratic institutions and state capacity.
In addition, it stated that with nearly all facets of the national economy in some way tied up with the Nigerian state, competition over control and access to government office is a zero-sum contest played out during every election cycle.
The Chatham House report stated further: “In October 2020, young Nigerians – many of whom had been too disillusioned to vote – joined the weeks-long EndSARS protests against police brutality and extortion. They amplified their voices online while mobilizing across Nigeria as well as activating the country’s sprawling diaspora. The force of the protests and the government’s brutal crackdown revealed the ruptured social contract between the Nigerian state and society. Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari misinterpreted the eruption of youth anger as an attempt to force him from office – revealing the tone deafness of his leadership.”
The upcoming presidential election is taking place amid deep economic hardship, record unemployment and inflation, persistent fuel shortages, the repression of civic spaces and worsening security conditions, particularly for the country’s youth. The hugely consequential outcome will determine the country’s demographic and democratic futures.
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