Josephine Okei‑Odumakin is the president of the pressure group Campaign for Democracy and the founder of the Women Arise for Change Initiative. In an interview with Dirisu Yakubu, she shares her thoughts on the general election, the naira crisis, and the way forward for a prosperous Nigeria.
When asked what Nigerians need most at this moment to guide their choice of the next president, Okei‑Odumakin stresses that no single individual can solve the country’s problems; a restructured system is required. Voters, therefore, should examine a candidate’s pedigree and track record rather than rely on promises, which she describes as “cheap talk.” While politicians have historically used poverty to buy votes, the current economic turmoil—exacerbated by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s policies—has weakened the public’s ability to resist vote‑selling. Millions of Nigerians, living hand‑to‑mouth, cannot access their bank deposits due to the recent naira redesign, leaving them hungry and vulnerable. Although the policy aims to curb vote‑buying, those entrenched in the system know how to circumvent it, and Okei‑Odumakin fears they will succeed this time.
The naira crisis is also affecting businesses and social life, potentially leading to voter apathy. She predicts low turnout on one hand and a “poll bazaar” on the other, as people struggle to afford fuel to reach polling stations and must choose between feeding their families and voting. Those with money earmarked for vote‑buying may exploit the population’s hunger, further weakening resistance to vote‑selling.
Regarding youth participation, Okei‑Odumakin notes the excitement that followed the “Not Too Young to Run” bill, yet few young people made it through the primaries. She argues that the problem lies not in the recruitment drive but in the entire leadership processing system, which remains dominated by the old order that controls resources. When citizens are impoverished, their capacity to effect change is limited, making them easy targets for politicians offering meagre pay for dirty work.
On activism, she reflects on her decades‑long experience alongside figures such as Wole Soyinka, Femi Falana, and the late Gani Fawehinmi. She observes that today’s activism often mobilises for politicians rather than issues, a shift she attributes to changes in popular culture and education. While she does not blame the youth entirely, she emphasizes that past education was viewed as a tool for societal advancement, whereas today it is often pursued merely to pass exams.
Okei‑Odumakin also discusses women’s representation. She notes that out of the 28 states holding governorship elections, only Adamawa has a female candidate, a fact that disappoints her. She stresses the importance of “catching them young” – mentoring girls so that women will later be ready to assume leadership roles. Gender equality, she argues, must be based on merit and extend beyond politics to all sectors of national development, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
When asked which presidential candidate impresses her most in terms of preparation, blueprint quality, and capacity, she replies that she is an observer and must remain impartial. She urges voters to scrutinise each candidate’s ability to address key issues before casting their ballots. The Federal Government should ensure a free, fair, credible, and transparent election, while political parties, INEC, and security agencies must adhere to the rules.
Regarding fears about the election, Okei‑Odumakin cites the usual concerns: thuggery, militarisation, INEC lapses, academic discounting, and judicial incompetence. She hopes the Electoral Act 2022, particularly Section 92’s sanctions for electoral offences, will mitigate these vices. Although the challenges facing the incoming government are enormous, she stresses that a smooth election is the first essential step. All stakeholders owe Nigeria and the world a duty to conduct themselves decently, treating elections as a sport where today’s loss may become tomorrow’s victory.
God bless Nigeria.
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