Nigeria’s Opposition Parties Link Voter Apathy to Growing Public Cynicism

Nigeria’s political opposition parties have raised concerns over what they described as a historically low voter turnout in the just concluded FCT elections, with participation reportedly as low as 7.2 percent in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and about 15 percent in other area councils.

According to the coalition, the figures reflect a vote of no confidence in the electoral system and growing public cynicism.

Beyond turnout, the parties condemned rising political violence, citing a recent attack on African Democratic Congress (ADC) leaders in Edo State, southern Nigeria, and the alleged killing of a party agent during the FCT polls. They warned that political intolerance and thuggery threaten national stability and democratic consolidation.

The opposition leaders also questioned the legitimacy of the 2023 general elections, stating that there is a disparity between the country’s over 200 million population and the fact that only 10 percent of the electorate came out to vote. They argued that the total votes in the presidential election were less than 24 million, which is approximately 11 percent of the total population.

The coalition also decried what it termed the “creeping weaponisation of the judiciary,” urging judges to remain neutral and resist partisan influence. It insisted that electoral outcomes must be decided by voters, not the courts.

Calling on the National Assembly to begin a fresh constitutional amendment process, the opposition demanded the removal of provisions it considers anti-democratic and inconsistent with credible elections.

The coalition urged civil society groups and citizens to join efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 polls.