Abuja: A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Joseph Daudu, has expressed concerns over the prevalent voter apathy in Nigeria, attributing it to the ‘winner-takes-all’ attitude pervasive among political leaders and the subpar governance by those in power.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Daudu, who serves as the Coordinator of the Rule of Law Development Foundation (ROLDF), shared these insights following a recent webinar organized by the foundation in Abuja.
Daudu emphasized the need for politicians to adopt a more inclusive approach to governance to regain public trust and boost electoral participation. He criticized the current political system, which he believes prioritizes wealth acquisition over public service, and called for a shift towards a people-centric political landscape.
Highlighting the essence of democratic governance, Daudu stated that it should aim to provide the greatest good for the majority. He noted that successful democracy relies on active public participation in the electoral process, where citizens have a say in choosing their leaders through periodic elections.
Daudu presented data from recent elections to illustrate the decline in voter participation. In the 2015 general elections, only 43.65% of registered voters participated. This figure decreased to 34.75% in 2019, and further dropped to 26.72% in 2023. Such statistics, he argued, reflect growing voter apathy and a lack of interest among the populace.
According to Daudu, many Nigerians perceive political offices as avenues for personal gain rather than public service. This perception, coupled with deteriorating living conditions and unmet political promises, has led to widespread disenchantment with the electoral process.
Daudu warned that for society to progress, its government and elected officials must maintain integrity, avoid corruption, and genuinely serve the people. He questioned whether current leaders have fulfilled their electoral promises and suggested that increased voter enlightenment might further discourage participation if issues remain unaddressed.
To counter these challenges, Daudu advocated for prioritizing the education of Nigerian citizens across formal, religious, and civic domains. He called for a long-term commitment to re-educating the populace, proposing a 25-year plan to lay the foundation for a renewed Nigeria.