Declining voter turnout threatens democracy, governance — Otti

In a candid address at The Niche's annual lecture, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has sounded a stark warning about the health of Nigeria's democracy. He directly linked the nation's persistent economic woes to a history of poor political choices, but his most urgent concern is the alarming decline in voter turnout. Otti highlighted that with participation dropping from 57% in 2011 to less than 30% in 2023, a mere fraction of Nigerians are now deciding the country's leadership, a situation he deems a grave threat to democratic accountability.

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Voter turnout over the last five general elections has fallen from 57 per cent in 2011 to less than 30 per cent in 2023.

This apathy, Otti argues, is not just a statistical anomaly; it actively fuels governance failures and exacerbates the suffering of ordinary Nigerians through poverty, unemployment, and institutional decay. He implored citizens to reconsider their disengagement from the political arena, stressing that national prosperity, security, and overall well-being are intrinsically tied to active civic participation. The governor's message is clear: loving Nigeria means actively engaging in the process of selecting its leaders and holding them accountable.

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So what that means is that just about three of us out of 10 decide who governs us.

Beyond the act of voting, Otti underscored the necessity of continuous engagement throughout the political cycle. He called for vigilance to keep elected officials in check through legitimate means and stressed the importance of citizens thoroughly researching candidates' ideologies and track records. Furthermore, he directly addressed the corrosive impact of electoral malpractice and vote-buying, warning that when elections become transactional, leaders are incentivized to recoup their 'investment' rather than serve the public, thereby perpetuating a cycle of corruption and poverty.

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As stakeholders in the Nigerian project, we ought to be worried.