For three election cycles, my Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) has been a quiet, unused item in my purse. A means of identification, but also a symbol of a civic right that I’ve never exercised, and a promise I’ve neither kept to myself nor my country.

The reason is a familiar one to many of us: a deep-seated cynicism. Like many young Nigerians, I’ve never witnessed a political leader come through like they say they’ll. I’ve witnessed political thuggery, felt the sting of economic hardship stemming from poor governance and leadership, and watched promises and manifestos dissolve into thin air after elections. To vote felt like an act of foolish faith, validating a system that has consistently failed to have my best interests at heart. The breaking point came during the 2023 general elections. Still unwilling to travel to vote, I sought another way to participate. I joined CivicHive’s Election Situation Room, a space dedicated to electoral data and transparency, where we observed and collated election results in real-time on the Live Result portal.

Yet, even this act of civic duty was met with systemic failure. The crash of the INEC iReV portal was a technical glitch as much as it was a symbol of a broken promise to the nation. It confirmed our deepest fears about the system’s preparedness and integrity. But in that room, surrounded by other dedicated young Nigerians, I saw a different narrative, one of resilience. Because CivicHive’s election observers were deployed across all 774 LGAs, we did the best we could with the data we had. In that information vacuum, the CivicHive Live Result Portal provided data and power through its commitment to timely, accurate updates, cutting through the chaos and empowering citizens with a sense of ownership over the democratic process. 

The technical glitch highlighted the problems, but also the power of collective action by documenting facts and figures where official channels had failed. I realised that my apathy wasn’t a protest, it was a surrender. By opting out, I wasn’t punishing the failing politicians and leaders; I was ceding my power and my future to the choices of others.

So, as another election cycle approaches, I am making a different choice. I am choosing to have a little faith, not in any particular political leader, but in the power of my own voice and my vote, having learned that democracy isn’t a spectator sport.

If you see yourself in my story, I encourage you to join me in this shift. Preparing for an election doesn’t start a month before the polls; it starts today. Here’s how we can move from apathy to action. 

• Scrutinize the Candidate

To move from apathy to action, we must become active participants, not passive observers. This begins by looking beyond the party banners and slogans to truly scrutinise the individuals asking for our trust. Who are they, really? Dig into their track records beyond the campaign promises. Do their manifestos speak to the real issues you face daily, the rising cost of food, the state of our schools, or the search for a decent job? This important research cannot wait until the eve of the elections; the work of making better choices starts with informed scrutiny today.

• Secure your PVC

Next, ensure your most powerful tool is ready: your Permanent Voter’s Card. Consider your PVC the key to the decision-making room; without it, you are locked out. If it’s lost, replace it. If you’ve moved, transfer it. And if you haven’t registered, that is your first and most critical step. Click here to get started. 

• Learn Politics and Civic Education

Finally, arm yourself with knowledge, because an informed citizen is an empowered citizen and democracy’s greatest defence. Governance doesn’t have to be complex. To hold leaders accountable, we must first understand how the government is supposed to work, how budgets are allocated and how public projects should be delivered.  Follow LearnWithCivicHive, a platform that aims to increase civic engagement and literacy, making complex political and social issues easier to understand. 

When we combine this deeper knowledge with our collective voice at the polls, we stop being spectators and start playing a more active role as active citizens.

Voting is a fundamental human right. It is the clearest mechanism we have to choose whose vision aligns with ours and to hold them accountable for it. The system may be flawed, but our surrender guarantees its failure. Our participation, however, is the first step toward fixing it.

Stay informed and empowered. Explore Civic Hive’s resources for active citizenship and follow our work in promoting election transparency and accountability.