Plaqad Poll Shows Young Nigerians Will Vote Falz as President

When 30-year-old rapper and activist Folarin Falana, a.k.a Falz, walked the streets of Lekki with hundreds of protesters on the morning of October 8, 2020, little did he know it was a defining moment in contemporary youth activism. Earlier, he had tapped fellow musician Runtown and other celebrities to join him for a peaceful walk against police brutality and extrajudicial killings of innocent youths. What followed was two weeks of high-profile stakeholder engagements, prayer vigils and a stand-down which has increased youthful political consciousness.

While government forces were hatching plans to viciously evacuate the youths from the Lekki Tollgate on October 20, 2020, Neusroom and Netng were evaluating the political redirection inspired by the protests. In partnership with Plaqad, a marketing technology platform, they conducted a two-week poll asking young Nigerians their choice of President for 2023. On the shortlist were: Flying Doctor, Ola Orekunrin; Tech Leader, Iyin Aboyeji; Caya House Founder, Feyikemi Abudu; Rapper Falz; BudgIT Founder, Seun Onigbinde and Social Entrepreneur, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji. With 2,160 impressions and 122 votes across several online platforms, the poll returned Falz as winner with 70% of the votes. Surprising? Maybe not so much.

Crusader for Social Justice

The lawyer-turned-musician is from a family of human rights activists. He is the son of popular lawyers and rights activists Funmi and Femi Falana (SAN), and uses much of his music to advocate for social justice. For instance, in May 2018, he released the single ‘This is Nigeria’ which highlights social issues such as extrajudicial killings, bribery and corruption.

Shortly after the start of the EndSARS movement in October 2020, Legit.ng conducted a Twitter poll asking Nigerians who they would join for a protest amongst Falz, Naira Marley, Burna Boy and Runtown. Unsurprisingly, Falz was preferred for his street smarts and knowledge of the law. This flair for leadership may have swayed the Plaqad poll in his favour.

But…Nigeria’s Next President?

Lest we forget, #EndSARS was partly an agitation for increased youth involvement in national change. The level of organisation and accountability maintained by the protesters was commended by high-profile figures, proof that the youth can indeed assume the mantle of leadership.

Before the protest, #EndSARS was already a hashtag. But it took Falz, and other celebrities and influencers to give life to the entire concept. In a matter of days, #EndSARS became a global movement embraced by Diaspora Nigerians and notable figures such as Hilary Clinton, Joe Biden, Beyonce, Anthony Joshua, Tyler Perry and Drake, among others.

Falz is young, intelligent, articulate and represents a break from the norm.

– He has over 7 million followers on Instagram

– 22.2 million followers on Twitter

– Over 170,000 likes on Facebook

– May 2020: Wrote a letter to the Comptroller-General of Nigeria asking for the reinstatement of 5 dismissed female immigration officers over the #Bopdaddy challenge.

– 8 October 2020: Staged a sit-in at the Lagos State House of Assembly, asking for protection of protesters and disbandment of SARS.

– 15 October 2020: Wrote an open letter to President Buhari, seeking an end to police brutality, harassment of citizens and extortion.

– 23 October 2020: Spoke to CNN’s Christiane Amanpour about the #EndSARS protest. Insisted he was not afraid to die because the Nigerian infrastructural system was already a ticking time bomb.

– November 2020: Released the music video to ‘Johnny’ as a tribute to fallen EndSARS protesters.

– November 2020: Sued alongside 50 other high-profile influencers for role in EndSARS protest.

– November 2020: Asked the youth to get voter cards ready for 2023.

How Influential are the Others?

Other candidates who made the Neusroom shortlist are also thought leaders in their spheres. Ola Orekunrin pioneered West Africa’s first air ambulance service. Iyin Aboyeji is one of Africa’s most accomplished tech founders. Toyosi was so preoccupied with the EndSars movement on her Twitter handle that she almost missed marking the International Day of the Girl Child. Feyikemi was one of the prominent female voices during the protest and helped with fundraising, security and medical assistance. Budgit co-founder, Onigbinde helped raise civic consciousness about the protest.

How Young is too Young to Run?

National leadership is increasingly leaning towards competence, patriotism, and influence. Not age. Here in Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the ‘Not too Young to Run’ bill into law in 2018. The youth now have a shot at the Presidency, thanks to the age reduction from 40 to 30 years. General Yakubu Gowon was, after all, just 31 when he became Head of State. He ruled Nigeria from 1966 to 1975.

Globally, the case is no different:

– Emmanuel Macron (France): Was 39 when he became President, the youngest in French history.

– Kim Jung Un (North Korea): Was 29 when he was declared Supreme Leader of North Korea.

– Tamid bin Hamad Al Thani (Qatar): 31 when he was declared Emir of Qatar.

– Jacinda Ardern (New Zealand): Was sworn in as Prime Minister at 37.

– Joseph Muscat (Malta): Became Prime Minister at 39.

– Carlos Alvarado (Costa Rica): Won elections to become President at 38

– Nayib Bukele (Salvador): Sworn in as President, age 37.

– Oleksiy Goncharuk (Ukraine): Named Prime Minister at 35.

If the Plaqad poll in partnership with Netng and Neusroom is any indication, Nigerians should expect to see unprecedented youth participation in local, state, and federal elections going forward. And the chances of a young citizen making it to Aso Rock will continue to increase.

Experts say 2023 may be too soon. But no one is ruling out the possibility of a disruption. We wait with bated breath for further developments in the runup to 2023. Gbenga Sogbaike, Plaqad CEO, has told us to expect greater participation of young Nigerians in the next general election.

According to Sogbaike, “Young Nigerians recognise the power they have and will deploy it in the coming elections. Would we see a sweeping change? Maybe not. However, I believe Nigerian youths will be more responsive in matters relating to how their public office holders are selected going forward.”

Click here to download the full report.