Nigeria’s electoral process has been marked by several prominent figures who have stood out as heroes. These individuals have played critical roles in ensuring that Nigeria’s democracy remains strong, transparent, and credible in the just concluded Election which took place on Saturday, 25th of February, 2023. These heroes have come from various sectors, including civil society, the media, academia, and the political class, among others. They have sacrificed their time, resources, and sometimes even their lives to uphold the principles of democracy and promote the common good. Their contributions have been invaluable in ensuring that the voice of Nigerians are heard and their votes count. These outstanding heroes are:
1. Efidi Bina Jennifer
Despite being stabbed by political miscreants, Efidi Bina Jennifer, a Nigerian citizen, exercised her right to vote during the presidential and senatorial elections in Surulere, Lagos. Videos and pictures of her returning to cast her vote went viral on social media, with many hailing her as the true hero of the election. A donation drive was also launched for her hospital bills, and Cubana Chief Priest supported her with money.
2. Folarin Falana (Falz)
Folarin Falana also known as Falz, went to his polling unit during the election and updated people on what was happening through his Instagram live. Thugs later disrupted the election, stole his phone and those of other people, beat up voters, and snatched ballot boxes. Falz’s friend was able to retrieve his phone, and he continued his live broadcast until all the votes were counted and uploaded to INEC. Falz also called on Nigerians to consolidate their results from various polling divisions if the INEC uploaded any unmatched results.
3. Omoni Oboli
The Nollywood actress spent 26 hours at her polling unit to ensure a smooth election process. She expressed anger over difficulties in uploading election results on her Instagram page, revealing that she stayed awake for 26 hours and suffered from a shaking feet and hurting back due to INEC’s incompetence. She is hailed as one of the heroes of the 2023 presidential election.
4. Chioma Akpotha
The actress also had her polling unit scattered by hoodlums during the election. She recorded a tape of the moment the thugs perturbed and scattered her voting unit. Despite the destruction, she and other voters were able to vote once calmness was restored to the area.
5. Adebowale Debo Adedayo
Popularly known as Mr Macaroni, is a renowned content creator and actor who deserves recognition for his efforts towards the 2023 presidential election. He has consistently used his platform to raise awareness on the importance of avoiding the sale of votes and PVCs to politicians, stating that doing so would result in four years of suffering for Nigerians. Despite receiving a death threat, he remains resolute and committed to the cause of ensuring a peaceful election process. Mr Macaroni’s unwavering stance against compromise and bribery sets him apart as a true hero, whose legacy should be remembered for years to come.
6. Kate Henshaw
A veteran Nollywood actress expressed her frustration on Saturday about the challenges she faced while attempting to vote at her polling unit. She revealed on Twitter that the INEC officials did not arrive until 11am, despite her being there since 8:30am, and that the Bimodal Voter Authentication System (BVAS) indicated that she was not registered even though her name was on the wall and on the INEC website. She accused INEC of attempting to disenfranchise her and over 20 other Nigerians in her polling unit. However, she later reported on Twitter that she was able to vote without any issues after the INEC officials brought the BVAS machine. She stayed until all the votes were counted, which was a difficult task, and deserved recognition.
7. Iyabo Ojo
The iconic screen diva, took to Twitter to explain why it was important for Nigerians to vote for the right candidates during the presidential election. She also voted for her preferred candidate and shared reports from different polling units on her Instagram account. Her efforts to provide accurate reports to the public deserve to be celebrated.
9. Other Celebrities Like;
Celebrities such as Peter Okoye of Psquare, Nollywood actors including Fred Leonard and Rita Dominic, TV personalities such as Ebuka Uchendu and IK Osakioduwa, and gospel artists like Dunsin Oyekan and Nathaniel Bassey, are among the many who exercised their right to vote in the 2023 presidential election. Their participation serves as a testament to the importance of civic duty and they are deserving of recognition as the true MVPs.
In conclusion, the heroes of Nigeria’s 2023 presidential electoral process have demonstrated a deep commitment to democracy, justice, and the rule of law. Their sacrifices and contributions have played a crucial role in shaping Nigeria’s electoral landscape and promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance. We owe these heroes a debt of gratitude for their unwavering dedication to the ideals of democracy and their selfless service to the Nigerian people. As we continue to build a stronger and more resilient democratic system, we must honor their legacy and work to ensure that their efforts were not in vain.
