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The NAFESOJE Empowerment Foundation and the Alliance of National Civil Society Organisations (ANCSOs) have expressed “profound concern over the alarmingly low voter turnout” recorded during the February 21, 2026 Area Councils elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, warning that the development poses a grave threat to Nigeria’s democratic future if not urgently addressed before the 2027 general elections.
In a joint press statement signed by Hon. Nnaemeka Aleke, President of NAFESOJE Empowerment Foundation, and Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, Assistant National Secretary of ANCSOs, the groups described the widespread voter apathy across polling units in the FCT as a dangerous signal of declining civic engagement.
According to the statement, “The widespread apathy observed across polling units in several parts of the FCT, where a significant number of eligible voters chose to remain at home rather than participate in the democratic process, signals a troubling decline in civic engagement and public confidence.”
The organisations stressed that democracy cannot thrive without active participation, declaring that “Democracy is not sustained by constitutional text alone; it is legitimised through active citizen participation. When citizens disengage from the ballot, they inadvertently erode the representative character and moral authority of governance.”
They warned that the implications of such low participation are “serious and far-reaching,” noting that “Apathy at the scale witnessed during the FCT Area Councils elections creates a vacuum that can be exploited by entrenched political interests.”
The statement further cautioned that “Where turnout is abysmally low, electoral outcomes risk being determined by a narrow minority, thereby undermining the foundational democratic principle that sovereignty resides in the people.”
Projecting ahead to the next general elections, the civil society bodies warned: “If replicated in the 2027 general elections, this pattern could create conditions conducive to manipulation and the subversion of the popular will.”
Issuing what they described as a clear warning to the nation, the groups declared, “We therefore issue a clear and unequivocal warning: the voter apathy that characterised the FCT Area Councils elections must not be allowed to define the 2027 general elections.”
The organisations emphasised that reversing the trend is a collective responsibility and called for immediate, coordinated action by electoral authorities, political actors, civil society, the media, and citizens.
They specifically urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to step up efforts ahead of 2027, stating that the commission “must intensify sustained, data-driven voter education and public enlightenment campaigns well ahead of the 2027 polls.”
They added that “Civic communication must transcend routine announcements and adopt innovative, community-based engagement strategies that directly address voter distrust, logistical challenges, and misinformation.”
On the role of civil society, the statement said organisations “must scale up grassroots mobilisation, civic literacy programmes, and accountability advocacy,” stressing that “strategic partnerships across community associations, faith-based institutions, youth networks, women’s groups, and professional bodies are essential to rebuilding trust in the electoral process.”
Political parties were not left out, as the groups insisted they “must undertake serious reforms in their internal democratic processes, candidate selection mechanisms, and voter engagement strategies,” noting that “Citizens are more inclined to vote when presented with credible alternatives, issue-based campaigns, and candidates who reflect integrity and competence.”
The media, they said, “must prioritise sustained civic education and fact-based reporting that demystifies electoral procedures and counters narratives capable of discouraging participation.”
Perhaps most pointedly, the statement addressed citizens directly: “Citizens must recognise that abstention is not neutrality; it is a forfeiture of influence. The right to vote is both a constitutional entitlement and a civic obligation. To decline participation is to surrender democratic space to those willing to exploit low turnout for narrow interests.”
The groups urged Nigerians to “resolve to exercise their franchise conscientiously and courageously at all times.”
As the country inches closer to the 2027 general elections, the civil society bodies underscored the urgency of immediate action, stating, “The urgency of strategic voter education and mobilisation cannot be overstated. Engagement efforts must commence immediately — structured, coordinated, evidence-based, and measurable. Civic awakening is not a one-off event; it is a deliberate and sustained process.”
Reaffirming their commitment to democratic integrity, the statement concluded: “The future of Nigeria’s democracy depends on broad-based participation. Elections must reflect the authentic will of the majority, not the convenience of a few. A resilient democracy demands vigilant and participatory citizens.”
They urged all stakeholders “to treat the FCT experience as a decisive wake-up call and to act with urgency to restore confidence, inspire participation, and safeguard the integrity of the 2027 general elections.”
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