Editorial: 2023, a year of another opportunity for Nigerians

It is with great constellation that we as a media organization congratulate Nigerians for making it through the year 2022 into the New Year. It would not be out of place to congratulate ourselves considering the happening that characterized last year. According to data from the Nigeria Security Incidents Tracker by Beacon Consulting, not less than 7,222 Nigerians were killed while 3,823 were abducted in about 2,840 incidents of insecurity in just first half of last year.

According to the data, 1,499 persons were injured during the various attacks witnessed in 505 local government areas of the country out of the 774. There were 605 abductions in January; 1,202 fatalities were recorded while 62 persons sustained injuries. In February, 887 deaths, 501 abductions and 82 injuries were recorded. In March, 1,497 deaths, 702 abductions and 209 sustained injuries were recorded from violent attacks. Also, in April, 633 persons were kidnapped, 1,434 were killed and 358 were injured. In May, 913 deaths, 265 abductions and 315 injuries, across the country. In June, 785 persons were killed, 676, abducted and 160, injured. As of July 29, 441 Nigerians have so far been abducted, 504 killed and 308 injured.

Also last year, university education was retarded as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) embarked on eight months strike action between February and March over demands for improved welfare, and owed earned allowances, amongst others. Perhaps, the industrial action might have lasted longer than eight months if it was not aborted by a judgment of the National Industrial Court.

By the last quarter of the year, inflation surged to 21.1 percent year-on-year last October with not less than five million more Nigerians pushed into poverty since the start of 2022. A World Bank report, Nigeria Development Update (NDU): “Nigeria’s Choice” revealed that, “fiscal pressures have intensified, exacerbated by the soaring cost of the petrol subsidy which will likely exceed five trillion naira this year. Despite higher oil export revenues, official reserves have fallen, and the currency market is severely distorted, undermining the business environment and investment. The weaknesses in the macroeconomic policy framework are suppressing growth and making Nigeria more vulnerable to shocks.”

That Nigerians could surmount these challenges is worth commending and as we hope they would take informed decision when casting their votes during the general elections in this first quarter. 2023 is an important year for the country; therefore all hands must be on deck to ensure that there is smooth transition of government to the choice of the people. With the amended electoral Act, we are optimistic that there would be free and fair elections across the country.

In spite this, Nigerians must also take responsibility to ensure they participate in ensuring that the 2023 elections are free and fair by not engaging in undemocratic activities and other nefarious acts that may affect the run of the polls. They must resist every attempt to be used by politicians to create unrest in any form to disrupt the elections.

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