More than 93 million Nigerians are called to the polls today for presidential and parliamentary elections, in a troubled period when ordinary citizens were caught in an exchange of banknotes promoted by the central bank and government, making it even more difficult to live in the most populous country in Africa, which already has economic and security problems. Adding to the tension, on the eve of the election, a deputy from the largest opposition party, the PDP, was caught with half a million dollars in bills in his car and a list of people to distribute the amount to, said the police.
Nigeria is no exception to the domination of the African continent and the composition of the age pyramid – the average age is 18 – puts pressure on the political class from the youth. 40% of registered voters are under 35 years old. And there are signs that they could play a decisive role at the ballot box. “This time it is the young people who are very involved in the process. They are not only involved as voters, but they are in fact the mobilizers. They will vote,” said Hassan Idayat, director of the Center for Democracy and Development, in statements to the Associated Press.
Source: DN
