Former presidential spokesman and journalist Olusegun Adeniyi has attributed Nigeria’s growing voter apathy to a severe loss of public confidence in the country’s democratic system, warning that citizens are increasingly disengaging from the electoral process.
Speaking on Friday at the June 12 edition of The Platform, organised by The Covenant Nation in Lagos, Adeniyi said the persistent decline in voter participation is rooted in what he described as a “catastrophic erosion of trust” between Nigerians and the political establishment.
According to him, the country’s democracy has failed to deliver meaningful benefits to many citizens, leaving them unconvinced that participating in elections can improve their lives.
“With every election cycle, more Nigerians are deciding not to vote. This trend is not limited to presidential elections but cuts across the entire electoral process,” he said.
Adeniyi acknowledged that factors such as logistical challenges, insecurity, the distance to polling units, election-day movement restrictions, voter suppression, inadequate voter education and fear of violence all contribute to low turnout. However, he argued that these issues only address the symptoms rather than the underlying problem.
He maintained that the real challenge is the widespread belief among Nigerians that their votes have little impact on governance or national development.
The former presidential spokesman also questioned the legitimacy of leaders who emerge from elections in which only a small percentage of eligible voters participate. He noted that while politicians often celebrate their victories and claim democratic mandates, they rarely confront the implications of governing with the backing of so few citizens.
“The issue is not whether Nigerians want to vote, because voter registration figures show they do. The real question is whether they believe their votes truly matter,” he stated.
Adeniyi warned that unless citizens can clearly see a connection between casting their ballots and achieving better governance and improved living conditions, voter apathy will continue to rise. He added that history has shown that when people lose faith in the ballot box, they often seek other, less peaceful means of expressing their frustrations.