Senator Imasuen says religious observances like Ramadan and Lent should not influence election scheduling...

The Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District, Neda Imasuen, on Tuesday said religious observances such as Ramadan and Lent should not determine the timing of elections in Nigeria.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News, Imasuen said Nigerians must prioritise their civic responsibilities and avoid allowing religious activities to interfere with the electoral process.

“My honest answer to that is it shouldn’t be a consideration at all. This ought to be something very usual,” he said.

CBI News reports that Imasuen compared Nigeria’s electoral culture with that of other countries, where elections are treated as a normal civic exercise rather than an extraordinary event.

“In other countries that I’m familiar with, you get ready to go to work on election day, go to your vote and go back to work. Or come back when you’re on break from work, vote and go back to work. Or come on your way back from work, vote and then go home,” he said.

Referring to the overlap between election timelines and religious seasons, he noted, “Yes, the Muslims have Ramadan. The Christians as well. Ash Wednesday starts tomorrow. The season of Lent also starts. How we’re going to reconcile on this is yet to be seen. Hopefully, it will also be one of those conversations that we have today in the Senate.

“But my honest answer to that is it shouldn’t be a consideration at all.”

He added that elections in Nigeria have been treated as unusual events, rather than routine civic duties.

Imasuen said, “Unfortunately, the way we take elections in this country is such that it becomes something unusual. It ought to be something very usual.”

The lawmaker stressed the need for a mindset shift among citizens, urging Nigerians to view voting as a core civic duty.

“All of us, we need to change our mindset. We need to understand that this is a civic responsibility that all of us hold in the country. To vote and live,” he said.

Imasuen advocated civic education from an early age, arguing that reforms must start at the grassroots.

He further stated, “We must begin to teach civic education. We must begin to take civic responsibility. If we wait until they become adults, that will begin to change them at that point. It will become very difficult.

“In most countries, you notice that attitude starts from elementary school. They’re already telling them who they are, what the country owes them.”