Democracy under siege: Tinubu’s chokehold suffocating Nigeria — Atiku
Atiku Abubakar Voices Concerns Over Low Voter Turnout in FCT Elections
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed serious concerns regarding the low voter turnout in the recent Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The elections, held on Saturday, saw an average turnout of less than 20%, with the Abuja Municipal Area Council recording a particularly low rate of 7.8%.
In a statement following the elections, Abubakar characterized the turnout as a troubling indication of the current state of Nigeria’s democracy. He attributed the poor civic engagement to “a political environment poisoned by intolerance, intimidation, and the systematic weakening of opposition voices.”
Abubakar, who is affiliated with the African Democratic Congress, criticized the administration led by President Bola Tinubu for constraining democratic participation. He accused the government of creating a hostile environment for dissenting voices and treating alternative political opinions as threats.
“When citizens lose faith that their votes matter, democracy begins to die,” he said. “This is not mere voter apathy. Democracy in Nigeria is being suffocated—slowly and dangerously.”
He cautioned that the ongoing decline in participation could inflict long-term harm on the country’s democratic framework. In light of these concerns, Abubakar urged opposition parties to unite, emphasizing that the situation transcends individual party interests.
“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 stated.
This statement reflects ongoing tensions in Nigerian politics and the challenges facing the electoral process.
