Name:- Adejumobi Israel oluwaferanmi
Politics refers to an activity involved in changing of power or position in an organization or country whether in the federal , state or local level through the process of election it can also be regarded as the activities associated with the governance or a country or area especially the debate between parties having power an activities aimed at improving someone’s status or increasing power within an organization, Politics is the art of societal decision making and the distribution of power in a society. Permeating throughout all aspects of life, no human is exempt from political processes. Politics are crucial for societal, economic and political progress and development.
IMPORTANT OF POLITICS
1. It’s makes citizen to understand their right in order for them to know what they are entitled to in the country, Without politics, humans would not have a tangible benchmark and understanding of what they are entitled to as citizens of a country or society and would lead to human rights violations. By having legal documents and political customs that delineate the rights of humans, people can become aware of what they are entitled to in the political and social landscape.
2. Politics gives the people the privilege for them to select the leaders of their own choice through election. Voting plays an important role in politics, as citizens hold the power to change the organizational structure of governments and the direction society moves forward towards. To understand what benefits and disadvantages each political party brings to their campaign, citizens have to do individual research and become informed of basic political processes before casting their ballot
3. .Politics give the people right to express their opinion about a government who is not in favor of them or not providing the basic amenities as their responsibility for the citizen, Politics provides a direct platform for people to voice their societal concerns and priorities. While some citizens may be content with the political order of a society, some may feel marginalized and disadvantaged in a society and may begin to protest for greater and radical change. This ability to be able to freely voice opinions is a crucial aspect of politics and highlights the power of politics in mobilizing people to create meaningful change.
4. Establishes how power is controlled politics is often cited as an all-encompassing mechanism that controls the behaviour of people and influence the outcomes of events. The distribution and the extent of political power is often determined by governments and political institutions alike and equips certain groups of people to control policies, cultures and customs of a society. Oftentimes, governments have a complex system of rules that constrain this power to ensure that political power is not abused and used for the sole interest of one actor
5. Influences the way people think and behave Human attitudes and behaviors are influenced by politics as people are constantly interacting with politics on a daily basis. The way a government distributes funds or deal with proposed laws affect the day to day lives of people, which ultimately influences the attitudes and actions of people. Consequently, politics holds the power to change public sentiment and attitudes towards political phenomena, and this must be taken into consideration during political decision making.
POLITICAL APATHY
In political science, political apathy is a lack of interest or apathy towards politics. It can consist of interest apathy, voter apathy, and information apathy. It can be categorized as the indifference of an individual and a lack of interest in participating in political activities. This includes lack of interest in elections, political events, public meetings, and voting. Collective political apathy can lower voter turnout.
Political apathy is often found among younger voters, the poor, and minority groups.
Reasons for political Apathy in Nigeria
*Lack of security:- For a person to actively participate in the political scene , they must be in a safe place where they feel secure in the absence of security numerous other activities take a back seat. There has been rampant insecurity in various areas across Nigeria over the years. As a result, the people in the affected areas have dissociated themselves from the country’s political scene and prioritised their survival and security.
• Poverty :- An individual living in poverty can never think of participating in politics. Their mentality will only be limited to how they are going to survive , Poverty is one of the biggest problem in Nigeria which is mostly the result of unemployment.
• Illiteracy:- Lack of education sometimes might lead to political Apathy an adage says Lack of education breeds ignorance. So this ignorance won’t allow most people without education to participate in politics
• Lack of trust :- In most Africans countries especially my country nigeria. This is one of the biggest reason for political Apathy. This is when the people lack some amenities that they believe the government will meet but unfortunately the government could not meet their needs this will surely lead to political Apathy.
• Electoral malpractice can be refers to as an act of manipulating Election process, materials, allowing underage to votes . This also leads to political Apathy because the people will already know that whether they vote or not their preference will probably be usurped by other powerful forces in the electoral system.
SOLUTION TO POLITICAL APATHY
Below are the solutions to political Apathy :-
1. By participating in election :- this is one of the solution to political apathy in Nigeria ,when people come out at a larger rate to vote they will have the power to vote for any candidate of their choices.
2. Sufficient Security :- In order for people to come out and vote or in order for them to abstain from political Apathy there must be a tight security. In which they will feel safe and not panicking during the election period.
3. Voters Education :- Voters should be enlightened on their civic and human rights, they should know they have the right to vote and be voted for , this will surely reduce the rate of political Apathy.
4. The Electoral candidates should endeavor to be trust worthy, and the citizen should be able to count on them, and they shouldn’t betray the trust of the citizen.
5. The candidates should make the promises they will be able to fulfill not just making promises in order for them to just win the election and later not do anything out of their numerous to the people.
6. The rate of political Apathy can also be reduce by knowing and defending our rrights
7. By joining or belonging to popular organisation or political e.g APC ,ADC, PDP, LP e.t.c
8. Development of political culture and interest.
Effect of Political Apathy.
