By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar** has raised alarm over what he described as alarmingly low voter turnout in Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, warning that Nigeria’s democracy is under serious strain.
In a statement issued Sunday by the Atiku Media Office, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain said the turnout, which he noted averaged below 20 per cent, with the Abuja Municipal Area Council, recording about 7.8 per cent — represents a troubling indicator of declining public confidence in the electoral process.
Atiku argued that the low participation in the nation’s capital was not accidental but the predictable result of what he called a political climate marked by intolerance, intimidation and the weakening of opposition voices.
The Waziri Adamawa accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of deliberately shrinking the democratic space through alleged harassment of dissenters and coercion of political actors.
“When citizens lose faith that their votes matter, democracy begins to die,” Atiku said, warning that the country is witnessing more than routine voter apathy.
He cautioned that continued erosion of participatory governance could inflict lasting damage on Nigeria’s democratic foundations if not urgently addressed.
The former vice president called on opposition parties and pro-democracy groups to close ranks and form a united front, stressing that the moment transcends partisan 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,” the statement added.
