Top reasons Nigerians are unhappy 

As Nigerians and politicians brace-up for the 2023 general elections, a report has established that about 78 per cent of Nigerians were unhappy and in a state of despondency due to poor living conditions and the general state of affairs in the country.

According to the report from the Africa Polling Institute (API) released for the month of January 2022, the three biggest challenges unsettling Nigerians, includes widespread insecurity, inability to meet basic needs and unemployment.

The report, signed by the Executive Director, API, Professor Bell Ihua in Abuja yesterday, was an outcome of a monthly “Nigeria Speaks” poll undertaken by API in the week of January 24, 2022, to elicit citizens perception and attitudes on topical issues and trends in the social, economic, political, governance and public-life issues.

‘Nigeria Speaks’ poll project is a series of monthly nationwide public opinion polls, aimed at bridging the gap in primary data, by capturing public opinion and giving citizens an opportunity to lend their voice to public policy discourse, practice and advocacy.

The report revealed that, “78 per cent of citizens are mostly unhappy with the state of affairs in the country; as 38 per cent considered heightened insecurity, 34 per cent considered inability to meet basic needs while 20 per cent considered unemployment as the three biggest challenges facing them personally.

The poll revealed that in 2022, most Nigerians were focusing on growth in their business, career and academics, while a reasonable number focused on gaining financial stability.

The report reads in part: “In addition, citizens consider Senator George Akume most suitable to serve as Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), given his leadership qualities and past track record.

“On a flip side, citizens believe Ali Modu Sherrif isn’t suitable to lead the APC, given his antecedents with Boko Haram, insecurity and past poor leadership experience.

“74 per cent of respondents said they are aware of the on-going voters registration exercise by INEC, while 26 per cent are unaware of the exercise. Also, while 73 per cent of respondents said they had registered in the past and received their PVCs, 11 per cent hadn’t received their PVCs and only seven per cent affirmed that they have recently registered in the exercise.