In Nigeria we saw it clearly in 2023 – only about 27% of registered voters actually voted, the lowest since 1999.
What is Voters Apathy?
Voters apathy is when a large number of eligible citizens who are registered to vote refuse to vote, or lose interest in the whole political process.
It’s not that they can’t vote, it’s that they choose not to, because they feel:
My vote will not count
All politicians are the same the system is rigged
Nothing will change for workers, salary, fuel, food prices are high prices
Broken promises: When workers demand salary review under Section 17 of Constitution and it takes 2-3 years of strike and negotiation to get N70,000, people lose faith.
Hardship fatigue: After subsidy removal, high transport and food costs – many think voting doesn’t change their daily suffering.
Electoral distrust: If people believe INEC results will be manipulated, or courts will decide, they stay at home.
No real choice: When campaigns are about personality not workers’ welfare, young people tune off.
Security and stress: Long queues, violence in some polling units, and economic pressure to go hustle instead of vote.
Consequences – Why It Is Dangerous
Apathy is more dangerous than voting for the wrong person, because:
Minority decides for majority: If only 30% vote, a President can be elected with just 16% of total registered voters.
The other 70% will then live under a government they didn’t choose.
Bad leaders stay: When honest, hardworking citizens stay at home, it leaves the field for vote-buyers. N10,000 for PVC becomes attractive when you are hungry.
No legitimacy: Government that emerges from low turnout lacks moral authority to implement difficult reforms – like salary review or tax reform. Workers will say we didn’t vote you.
Violence and rigging become easy: Low turnout makes ballot stuffing, over-voting and result manipulation easier to hide.
Policy suffers: Politicians will ignore workers’ welfare because they know workers don’t vote.
They focus only on their loyal base.
Military temptation: History shows when democracy has very low participation, coup plotters use it as excuse: the people no longer believe in democracy.
What Can Cure It for 2027?
If you want to fight apathy, you must answer three questions
What did you do? – N70,000, CNG buses, student loan, etc.
What will my salary buy? – Not the figure, but food, transport, rent benefit’s
Why must I vote? – Show that staying at home is losing the next Government of your choice
For 2027 ,Let us all use our voting opportunities on the election Day to choose government of our choice
– Benjamin Ibrahim writes from Lokoja, Kogi state.
+2348069596250
