Former Vice President of Nigeria and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Atiku Abubakar, has raised concern over the low voter turnout that greeted Saturday’s FCT Area Council elections.
While reacting to the exercise, Atiku described the turnout as a damning verdict on the state of Nigeria’s democracy under the current administration.
In a statement issued by his media office, Atiku argued that the low turnout was not coincidental but the result of what he termed a political climate marked by intolerance, intimidation, and the systematic suppression of opposition voices.
He said the government has deliberately narrowed the democratic space by targeting dissenters, pressuring defectors, and fostering an atmosphere where opposing views are treated as threats rather than constructive contributions to national development.
“When citizens begin to believe their votes no longer count, democracy starts to wither,” Atiku stated, adding that the situation goes beyond voter apathy and signals deeper concerns about governance and pluralism.
He warned that the continued weakening of participatory governance could cause lasting damage to Nigeria’s democratic foundations if not urgently addressed.
“A democracy without a vibrant opposition, genuine political competition, and public trust exists in name only,” he said, cautioning that history may judge the current period as one in which democratic gains were gradually eroded.
Atiku called on opposition parties and pro-democracy groups nationwide to unite in defence of the Republic, stressing that safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy transcends partisan interests.
