By By Elizabeth Ugbo
Former Vice President of Nigeria and ADC chieftain, Atiku Abubakar, warned on Sunday about dangerously low voter turnout in Saturday’s FCT Area Council elections, highlighting how such civic disengagement signals threats to Nigeria’s democratic system under the Bola Tinubu-led government.
Atiku Raises Alarm Over Low Voter Participation
Atiku noted that voter turnout averaged below 20 percent. Alarmingly, the Abuja Municipal Area Council recorded only 7.8 percent participation. He described these figures as a “damning verdict” on the state of democracy in Nigeria.
Democratic Space Under Threat
According to Atiku, the current administration has shrunk democratic space, harassed dissenters, and created an environment where alternative political views are treated as threats. He said, “When citizens lose faith that their votes matter, democracy begins to die.”
Intolerance and Opposition Weakening
He explained that poor civic participation in the nation’s capital is no accident. Instead, it reflects a political environment poisoned by intolerance, intimidation, and systematic weakening of opposition voices.
Call for Opposition Unity
Atiku urged opposition parties to unite, emphasizing that preserving democracy transcends party lines. “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.
The Stakes for Nigeria’s Future
He warned that continued erosion of participatory governance could cause lasting damage to the country’s democratic foundations. Atiku’s message underlines the urgent need for citizens and parties to defend democratic principles actively.
