Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed deep concern over the low voter turnout recorded in Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, warning that democracy in Nigeria is being suffocated.
In a statement released by his media office, Atiku described the low participation in the election as a serious sign that citizens are losing faith in the democratic system. He said the situation in the nation’s capital reflects the wider state of the country’s politics.
The FCT Area Council elections were held across six councils to elect chairmen and councillors who will oversee local governance in Abuja. The exercise was conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
INEC said about 239,000 voters took part in the election. This represents around 15 per cent of the 1.68 million registered voters in the FCT. Although the figure is higher than the turnout recorded in the 2022 council elections, many observers still described it as low.
Reacting to the figures, Atiku said such “abysmal civic participation” in the country’s capital should not be ignored.
According to him, the low turnout was not accidental but the result of a political environment that discourages participation.
“It is the predictable outcome of a political environment poisoned by intolerance, intimidation, and the systematic weakening of opposition voices,” he said.
Atiku, who is now a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, said democracy cannot survive when citizens feel their votes do not count.
In his statement, Atiku directed his criticism at the administration of President Bola Tinubu. He accused the government of deliberately shrinking the democratic space and creating fear among opposition voices.
He alleged that the present administration has adopted policies that weaken political competition and silence dissenting opinions.
According to him, there has been harassment of critics and pressure on politicians to defect from opposition parties to the ruling party. He said such actions weaken the foundation of democracy.
“When citizens lose faith that their votes don’t matter, democracy begins to die,” Atiku stated.
He added that what Nigeria is witnessing goes beyond voter apathy.
“What we are witnessing is not mere voter apathy. It is a direct consequence of an administration that governs with a chokehold on pluralism. Democracy in Nigeria is being suffocated slowly, steadily, and dangerously,” he said.
The former Vice President warned that if the current trend continues, the country could suffer long-term damage.
Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999 after many years of military government. Since then, the country has conducted several general elections and local council polls. While there have been improvements in some areas, elections have also been marked by disputes, court cases and claims of irregularities.
Against this background, Atiku’s comments have added to the ongoing debate about the health of Nigeria’s democracy.
Atiku warned that a democracy without a strong opposition and public confidence is democracy only in name.
“A democracy without vibrant opposition, without free political competition, and without public confidence is democracy in name only,” he said.
He cautioned that history may judge the current period harshly if urgent steps are not taken to protect democratic freedoms.
“If this chokehold is not released, history will record this era as the period when our hard-won freedoms were traded for fear and conformity,” he added.
The FCT election itself produced mixed results. The ruling All Progressives Congress won five of the six chairmanship seats, while the opposition secured one seat. The outcome has already sparked debate between the ruling party and opposition figures over the conduct of the polls.
While INEC maintained that the election was conducted peacefully in most polling units, some opposition leaders have raised concerns about the process. On the other hand, members of the ruling party have dismissed such claims and insisted that the results reflect the will of the people.
Atiku called on opposition parties and democratic forces across the country to come together and form a united front.
“This is no longer about party lines; it is about preserving the Republic. The time to stand together to rescue and rebuild Nigeria is now,” he said.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, political activities are already increasing. Analysts believe that statements like Atiku’s are part of efforts by opposition leaders to mobilise supporters and strengthen their base ahead of future contests.
For residents of the FCT, however, daily concerns such as rising prices, transportation costs and access to basic services remain top priorities. Many citizens say they want leaders who will focus on governance and improve their living conditions.
The debate over voter turnout in the FCT elections has once again brought attention to the wider issue of citizen participation in Nigeria’s democracy. Whether the low turnout was due to lack of interest, loss of confidence or other factors, it has sparked serious political discussion.