Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the low voter turnout in Saturday’s FCT Area Council elections as a “damning verdict” on Nigeria’s democracy under President Bola Tinubu.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed grave concern over the record-low voter turnout during the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections held on Saturday, February 21, 2026. In a statement released via his verified X handle on Sunday, the chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) characterized the apathy as a direct consequence of a “poisoned” political environment under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu. Atiku argued that the lack of participation in the nation’s capital reflects a systemic erosion of public trust in the electoral process, fueled by the intimidation of opposition figures and a shrinking democratic space.
The Adamawa-born politician further alleged that the current administration is deliberately stifling dissent and treating alternative political views as national threats. He warned that the increasing disillusionment among the electorate is not a random occurrence but a dangerous trend that threatens the country’s stability. “When citizens lose faith that their votes matter, democracy begins to die. This is not mere voter apathy. Democracy in Nigeria is being suffocated—slowly and dangerously,” Atiku stated. He contended that the government’s focus on harassing dissenters has fostered a climate where many Nigerians no longer believe their participation can effect change.
Warning of the long-term consequences of this democratic decline, Atiku called for a unified front among opposition parties to protect the nation’s foundational principles. He cautioned that if the current trajectory of “participatory governance” continues to be undermined, the damage to Nigeria’s democratic structures could become irreversible. By highlighting the FCT polls as a critical litmus test, the former Vice President urged citizens to remain vigilant, while challenging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Tinubu administration to address the underlying causes of civic disengagement before the next general cycle.
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