As the 2023 general election approaches, many Nigerians have expressed concern about youth participation in the upcoming democratic exercise, following the announcement of the most popular show, Big Brother Titans, glamsquad reports.
READ ALSO: Big Brother Titans premieres January 15 2023 With $100,000 grand prize.
Staying glued to one’s favorite television show has both advantages and disadvantages.
Outside of the beauty of entertainment, there are feelings that could starve one’s desire to participate in politics.
While some Nigerians have expressed concern about the show in light of the upcoming election, reality show host and media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu stated during the Big Brother Titans launch in December 2021 that “Nigerian youths are very capable of going out to vote and also coming back to watch whatever they want to watch.”
Unlike previous editions, the BBTitans, which will run for three months from January 15th to April 20th, 2023, will feature a mix of Nigerian and South African housemates. There will be two hosts: Ebuka Uchendu and Lawrence Maleka from South Africa.
Following the high level of interest generated by the reality television show, some Nigerians have expressed concern about youth participation in the election.
Shina Peller, a federal lawmaker representing Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Kajola, and Iwajowa constituencies in Oyo State, expressed his concerns while also encouraging youths to invest time in the 2023 elections as they would in the Big Brother Naija show.
However, in response, the majority of the youths took to social media to slam him.
“Simple, put all the presidential candidates or governorship candidates in one house, and we vote as it happens there,” Usman A. Ariori says. There was no INEC, no ballot box theft, no godfather, just big brother dictating.”
Chukwu Emeka: “Don’t bring up BBnaija. Discuss the energy in EndSars. Stop calling the dog names.”
“Our vote counts at Big Brother, but not in the Nigeria election,” says Akintewe Michael.
“BBNAIJA is the only show that drives the youth into happiness,” says Akujinwa Oliver Ekene. They have been let down by the political class. They are now seeking solace in irrelevancies.”
“Big Brother Naija is known to transmit results online while the federal governments believe in the ancient method of ballot boxes and you expect any reasonable youth to go and risk his or her life to vote in a polling center,” Emmanuel Cephas says. Make the election process transparent. Then you will see a surge in youth voter turnout. We’re just sick of voting and knowing it won’t count.”
Dr Sam Amadi, a political analyst who described the reality show as a major entertainment project, told glamsquad that BBTitans will reduce youths’ passion and fervor for politics.
“This would affect the election to some extent because of the combination of the South African and Nigeria housemates. Once BBNaija gets going, and there are a lot of interesting and compelling activities, there will be a kind of dulling in terms of young people getting out to get politically involved.
“And maybe if they are yet to collect their PVC by now, it’s more unlikely, but we can see a reluctance of people to hang out too long, especially when there are some editions that will involve a particularly popular person on the show or when there are some expectations and anxiety regarding what’s going on in the house.
“Yes, there will be some distraction, but we don’t know how much. However, it will only have a negative impact on the amount of time that young people devote to political issues.