A political activist and former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, Mrs Olufunke Fadugba, has stressed the need for the federal government to be intentional in renewing the hope of voters through the current Renewed Hope Agenda mantra of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Fadugba, who spoke at the Ogun State 2025 June 12, symposium with the theme: ‘June 12: Political Reforms and Democratic Consolidation. Consolidating Voters’ Confidence through Technology’, said that in view of advancement in technology, there is the need to ensure widespread and effective participation of the voters in future elections.
Fadugba, who is also the Chairman of Penpushing Media Editorial Board, noted that one of the four key noticeable pillars of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu administration is democracy, which aims to promote democratic governance, strengthen government institutions, and ensure fair and inclusive election.
She said it therefore behoves on the administration to initiate new ideas, through the Parliament, to promote increased participation in our electoral voting system.
The former NUJ chairman particularly said that in a democracy, citizens cannot be forced to participate, but must be convinced of the fairness of the process and its outcome.
She therefore tasked government at all levels to strive to instill confidence in the people that their votes shall count during election cycles.
Fadugba said that considering the significance of June 12, 1993 in our national political trajectory, particularly the outstanding record that the election that took place on that day played, and still playing in our electoral success, there is the need to focus on enhancing voters’ confidence through modern technology.
According to Fadugba; “In view of advancement in technology, I want to place it on record that whatever technology that will be put in place as part of the electoral process henceforth, there is the need to ensure widespread and effective participation of the voters, especially to enhance their confidence that their voices, through votes, will count in the choice of who their political leaders should be at any election period.
“Undoubtedly, going by the 1999 general election, which was the first after the military rule headed by General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd) and without technology, voters’ turnout was 52.3%, while in 2015, with the injection of card reader, participation dropped to 43.65% and in the 2023 national election, it was recorded that 26.72% Nigerians took part in the exercise.
“Indeed, we can see a sharp decline in participation. And, due to this trend, the question should be that what happened to the remaining eligible voters?” she asked.
Fadugba also said that the pillar of the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ emphasises economic growth, production, job creation, and infrastructure development to improve the quality of lives of Nigerians irrespective of place of origin, religion, or political affiliations.
She said that the second pillar, which is already being worked upon by the Tinubu administration, must be sustained with greater determination, stressing that it is the impetus needed to promote people’s interest in the electoral system, thus leading to large turnout during voting exercise.
Fadugba therefore urged the government to pursue the two pillars to drive citizens’ interest in the affairs of governance and to show patriotic commitment to their country.
“With the current situation in the country, when individuals are facing significant challenges that impact their overall well-being and sense of purpose, government may find it a herculean task to convince the citizens to believe in their electoral system.
“We have instances where individuals feel overwhelmed, stuck, and unable to reach their goals, hence the increase frustration in the land leading to humongous number of ~Nigerians looking for greener pastures outside their fatherland in several foreign countries, popularly known as “Japa syndrome ” has seen a huge number of our professionals leaving the country for where, according to them, their skills and services are being valued, particularly in dollar compensation,” Fadugba enthused.
Commenting on the Renewed Hope programmes, the former NUJ boss said it must be given life beyond sloganism, saying that Renewed Hope must build trust in the citizens that truly indicates that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
In her words; “Renewed Hope must not employ self-serving or opportunists as messengers of its goodies. Renewed Hope must always check and double-check on its messengers to avoid failed hope”.
