The Digest:
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the low voter turnout in Saturday's FCT area council elections, warning that democracy in Nigeria is "being suffocated slowly, steadily, and dangerously." In a statement, Atiku accused the Tinubu administration of shrinking democratic space through "intolerance, intimidation, and the systematic weakening of opposition voices." He argued that "when citizens lose faith that their votes matter, democracy begins to die," describing the situation as "a direct consequence of an administration that governs with a chokehold on pluralism." Atiku warned that the erosion of participatory governance could inflict "irreversible damage" on Nigeria's democratic fabric, leaving "democracy in name only." He urged opposition parties to unite and close ranks to "build" Nigeria. The APC won five of six FCT chairmanship seats, while Atiku's ADC failed to secure any.
Key Points:
- Atiku links low turnout to broader democratic decline under current administration.
- His comments reflect opposition frustration with APC's electoral dominance.
- Opposition supporters gain rallying call, while government faces legitimacy questions.
- This signals the depth of political polarisation ahead of 2027.
- The timing, post-APC sweep, amplifies opposition alarm.
Sources: The Cable, Atiku Abubakar/Statement
