Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the low voter turnout recorded in Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his media office, Atiku described the turnout, which reportedly averaged below 20 percent, as alarming. He specifically highlighted the Abuja Municipal Area Council, where participation stood at about 7.8 percent.
According to him, the figures send a clear message about the state of Nigeria’s democracy.
‘Citizens Are Losing Faith’
Atiku argued that such low civic engagement in the nation’s capital does not happen by accident. Instead, he blamed what he called a hostile political climate.
He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of shrinking democratic space and discouraging dissent.
“When citizens lose faith that their votes matter, democracy begins to die,” he said.
Furthermore, he rejected the idea that the turnout merely reflected 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 added.
Warning of Democratic Erosion
Specifically, the former vice-president warned that continued decline in political participation could inflict long-term damage on Nigeria’s democratic system.
He stressed that democracy requires competition, confidence and credible opposition.
“A democracy without vibrant opposition, without free political competition, and without public confidence is democracy in name only,” he said.
Atiku cautioned that history would judge the current era harshly if the trend continues.
“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 said.
Calls for Opposition Unity
In addition, Atiku urged opposition parties and democratic forces to close ranks.
“This is no longer about party lines; it is about preserving the Republic,” he said.
He concluded by calling for collective action.
“The time to stand together to rescue and rebuild Nigeria is now.”
