By Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
FORMER Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed deep concern over the low voter turnout recorded in Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, describing the development as a troubling reflection of the state of democracy in the country.
In a press statement issued on Sunday by his media office in Abuja, the chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) said the average turnout, reportedly below 20 per cent, signalled a growing disillusionment among citizens.
He pointed particularly to the Abuja Municipal Area Council, where participation was said to have dropped to 7.8 per cent.
According to Atiku, the low civic engagement in the nation’s capital — which he described as the symbolic heartbeat of the federation — was not coincidental but indicative of deeper systemic issues.
He alleged that the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had fostered a political climate marked by intolerance and suppression of dissent.
“When citizens lose faith that their votes matter, democracy begins to die,” Atiku stated. “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.”
The former Vice President, who also holds the traditional title of Waziri Adamawa, warned that the erosion of participatory governance could have long-term consequences if not urgently addressed.
“A democracy without vibrant opposition, without free political competition, and without public confidence is democracy in name only,” he said. “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.”
Atiku further called on opposition parties and pro-democracy stakeholders across the country to unite in defence of democratic principles.
“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,” he added.
As at the time of filing this report, there had been no official response from the Presidency or the APC regarding the allegations.
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