2023 Polls: Many Have Approached Me to Drop My Ambition, 25-year-old Labour Party Candidate Opens Up
- Benjamin Feyijimi, a 25-year-old running for office in Oyo has become an internet sensation for his bravery in contesting as a lawmaker for his state
- The young politician has a first degree in French Education from University of Ibadan, and a Masters in Peace and Conflict Studies from the same institution
- At age 20, he founded a Non-Governmental Organisation named Nigeria and I, focused on youth advocacy
PAY ATTENTION: How media literate are you? Click to take a quiz – bust fake news with Legit.ng!
Ibadan - Benjamin Feyijimi, the youngest candidate in Nigeria vying for a position in the 2023 general elections has opened up on how he has been under pressure to drop his ambition.
Feyijimi, who is 25 years old and popularly known as Frenchboi, is contesting to represent Ido constituency in the Oyo state House of Assembly.
Source: Twitter
In an exclusive interview with Legit.ng, Feyijimi stated that he would not be cajoled into dropping his ambition for any of his fellow contenders.
He said:
PAY ATTENTION: Share your outstanding story with our editors! Please reach us through info@corp.legit.ng!
“Many have approached me to drop my ambition. My reply is always that I'm going there to represent my people and not myself. Why should I step down when my people want me to be there?
“People step down for many reasons when they think they have low chances of winning. Among my contenders, I'm the most learned, I'm more of experienced!
“So, why should I step down for someone lower than me? It's not possible!”
Speaking on the financial cost of his ambition, Feyijimi revealed that it has been a challenge funding his campaign.
He lamented that election is so expensive in Nigeria, but said he has gotten support from some people who believe in his candidacy.
His words:
“Election in Nigeria is so very expensive. As a young man, I sincerely don't have the finance to run the big project, but my engagement with people, they feel so convinced to support me in the little way they can.
“Someone printed posters for me, someone printed banners and stickers for me, someone got my campaign office for me, and so on.
“I have been enjoying support from my people, because they know I will represent them well!”
Asked what advice he will give young Nigerians interested in politics, Feyijimi said:
“I understand the fact that there are discouraging factors everywhere, but it's high time we start looking away from those factors and face our fears!
“I tell my people when I win my election come March 11, I will be so proud to tell people that the son of nobody can also become somebody in this nation, even when we don't know anybody!”
INEC finally releases list of 93.4 million registered voters
Meanwhile, ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently revealed there are 93.4 million registered voters in Nigeria.
Mahmood Yakubu, the INEC chairman, announced this on Wednesday, January 11, at a meeting with political parties at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
At the meeting, Yakubu presented the voters’ register to the political parties in accordance with the electoral act.
INEC sends important message to Nigerian voters ahead of 2023 general elections
In a related development, Nigerians have been assured that the 2023 general election will be conducted as scheduled no matter the level of threat.
This was disclosed by Festus Okoye, the INEC commissioner and chairman Information and Voter Education Committee.
Okoye made this known as the electoral umpire continues to face attacks on its facilities in different locations across the country.
Source: Legit.ng
