Frank Tietie stressed that Nigerians must approach elections as a matter of survival, urging citizens to overcome cynicism and take active roles in safeguarding their votes.
His remarks came during a panel session on “How Can Our Vote Count?”, part of the 5th anniversary celebration of First Daily held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, on Monday, November 10.
Tietie highlighted that many citizens remain skeptical about the impact of their votes, seeing elections as a routine exercise rather than a decisive factor in their future.
“The first point in making our votes count is to see elections as an existential issue, as a matter of political and economic survival,” he said.
He added that cultivating a sense of urgency and responsibility among citizens is crucial, as the nation’s well-being is tied directly to the outcomes of electoral processes.
The panelist stressed the importance of active citizen participation, particularly through roles like polling agents.
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He noted that supporters of parties, such as the Labour Party, could volunteer to serve as polling agents, ensuring transparency at polling stations.
“Polling agents are crucial in observation and in ensuring that votes count. Too often, election data is produced by individuals driven by self-interest, rather than the public good,” Tietie said.
Acknowledging that immediate changes in electoral behavior may be slow, Tietie called for sustained civic engagement.
He argued that citizens must see their involvement as part of a larger effort to build trust in democratic institutions and prevent manipulation of the electoral process.
The discussion forms part of a broader series at First Daily’s anniversary event, which explored issues of voter education, electoral reforms, and citizen responsibility in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
Tietie’s message was clear: citizens must view elections not as optional events but as decisive moments that shape their economic, social, and political future.