Ending voter apathy
Nigeria stands at a critical point in its democratic journey. Despite the huge numbers of registered voters, participation at the polls continues to decline alarmingly. From 57.5 per cent in 2007 to just 26.7 per cent in 2023, voter turnout has dropped to its lowest since 1999. This gap between registration and actual voting is […]
Nigeria stands at a critical point in its democratic journey. Despite the huge numbers of registered voters, participation at the polls continues to decline alarmingly. From 57.5 per cent in 2007 to just 26.7 per cent in 2023, voter turnout has dropped to its lowest since 1999. This gap between registration and actual voting is dangerous. It hands power to politicians who manipulate elections while ordinary citizens complain of bad governance.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has taken commendable steps to simplify registration. Online pre-registration and the collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission to link voter data with the NIN system are historic innovations. These measures promise to curb duplication, reduce fraudulent registration, and restore transparency. But all these efforts will be wasted if Nigerians collect PVCs only to stay at home on election day.
Democracy cannot thrive on apathy. Elections become easier to rig when voters are absent. But when citizens turn out in large numbers, guard their votes, and reject vote-buying, the power of manipulation weakens. Countries like the United States and the United Kingdom have shown that high participation strengthens democracy. Nigeria should not settle for less.
The call is simple: every eligible Nigerian must register, collect their PVC, and come out to vote in 2027. Civil society groups, the media, and political parties must also intensify voter sensitisation to awaken citizens from indifference. Democracy belongs to the people, and only the people can defend it by exercising their right to vote.
Bad governance persists because the people have left their power unused. It is time to reverse this. Nigeria’s future depends on it.
Naima Harun, Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri