6 Categories of Voters in an Election

In February 2023, Nigerians will be going to the polls to cast their votes for their preferred candidates. In the build up to the elections, people give reasons they would vote for an individual. In this article, I have outlined various categories of voters in this election and reasons for their decision.

Tribalism

This category usually votes for an individual because they are of the same tribe. They don’t care if the person is capable of delivering good governance to the people. All they care about is their tribe. It is pertinent to note that this tribal sentimental folks do not just hold this mentality for the sole aim of elections alone. Rather, it is their belief that every opportunity must favour their tribe first. Thereafter, other tribes can be considered.

Religious sentiments

Religion is a major dividing force in the country. It is one of the major issues facing the All Progressives Congress (APC) as it fielded the same faith as its presidential candidates. Its presidential candidates, Bola Tinubu, and Kashim Shettima, are Muslims and this has brought rancor among some of its party members. Hence, some of them have been forced to leave the party.

In this category of voters, some people would say that they cannot vote for a particular religion. They are not particular about what that candidate can do. Instead, their sole aim of voting for a particular candidate is based on religious sentiments.

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Competence

This category of people are not concerned about the tribe or religion of a candidate. What ticks the box for them is competence. They are particular about verifying the track record of the candidate. More so, they don’t want to vote for a candidate that would not live up to expectations. This set of people does not care if they don’t have much following. All they are concerned about is that their candidate is quite reputable.

Party loyalists

This set of people vote for a candidate because of party affiliation. They don’t care if the candidate is the best person for the job. In most cases, this set of people cannot go against their party’s candidate because they can be sanctioned. However, there are cases where party members refuse to vote for their party candidates. Their reason was that they feel the other party’s candidate is better.

A recent example is Governor Nyesome Wike of Rivers State who has said that he would not support Atiku Abubakar, who is the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Benefits

It is a fact that some people vote for candidates solely because of what they can benefit from that person. They do not care if the person is fit for the job. Their major concern is that when the person gets to power, the person will ‘remember’ them. However, there are past cases where the candidate gets the vote of the masses but do not remember those who stood by him. This is more reason people are advised to vote for a candidate who has everyone at heart.

It’s our turn

This set of people does not have a reason for voting for their candidate. They follow their candidate blindly because he said it is his turn to rule the people. When this candidate is asked, ‘why is it your turn?’ he has nothing tangible to say.

The country is not the personal property of any individual. The country belongs to everyone. Anyone that wants to contest for any political office must give tangible reasons that the people should vote for him or her. Besides, he or she must have a proven record of past leadership. The citizens must put competence first before any other factor. That should be the basis, not reasons that would hinder the growth of the nation.

What category do you belong in the forthcoming election? Kindly share your thoughts.