Dirisu
Yakubu with agency reports A new poll conducted by NOIPolls in sync with
Business Day Media has showed that Nigerians would prefer middle-aged
candidates for the country’s 2019 presidential elections. Propelled Spurred by
the recent victory of French President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, 39, and increasing
discourse and commentary in the social media, this poll aims at gleaning the
perceptions and opinions of Nigerians regarding their age preference for those
seeking the highest elective office in the land come 2019.
According to the poll, 64 percent of Nigerians
say they would prefer to vote for a presidential candidate between the ages of
40 and 50 years; while 15 percent say they would make do with candidates whose
ages ranged between 51 and 60 years. Specifically, ages 50 years (33 percent)
and 40 years (21 percent) constituted the highest precise age preferences cited
by Nigerians. However, almost half of those interviewed (48 percent) expressed
their preference for middle-aged presidential candidates, and asked to advanced
reasons for the preferences, 44 percent said middle-aged candidates “combine
youthful energy and maturity”, while 23 percent argued that such candidates are
likely to be “more mentally alert”. Similarly, 35 percent expressed support for
young candidates saying “they bring new and fresh ideas” and “are more vibrant
than the elderly.”
It is note-worthy that the findings
revealed that 48 percent of Nigerians polled indicated that they would prefer
middle-aged presidential candidates, with the South-East (67 percent) and
North-Central (63 percent) geo-political zones of the country. This was
followed by 35 percent of the respondents who expressed their preference to see
young candidates as Presidential flagbearers in 2019; and expectedly,
respondents aged between 18 – 35 years accounted for the largest proportion (37
percent) in this category. Not surprisingly, only 10 percent of respondents
affirmed their preference for elderly presidential candidates.
Perhaps the biggest take-away from the survey
is the willingness of Nigerians to support independent candidates in the 2019
Presidential election. 73 per cent stated their willingness to go for
candidates without political platforms, priding competence over parties.
Although, there is no provision for independent candidacy in the nation’s
Electoral Act; voters would like to see this hurdle lifted to pave way for
competent candidates to vie for the highest office even without the backing of
any political party. Conversely, 27 per cent say they will not support independent
candidacy.
Although, across gender, geo-political zones
and age groups, majority say they would support independent candidacy.
Interesting as this poll is, it is doubtful if voters would keep faith with
these opinions in the course of the elections. This, analysts say, is not
unconnected with the nation’s brand of politics which over the years, had been
monetized. Thus, it is not impossible that an 80 year-old money-bag
Presidential candidate is likely to get more votes than his 45 year-old opponent
with insufficient money to throw around. This has been the bane of the
leadership recruitment process in the country for years.
Vanguard news
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