A democracy advocacy group, Kimpact Development Initiative, KDI, has expressed concern that many Nigerians believe their votes will not count in the 2027 general elections.
The civic group warned that the development could worsen voter apathy.
Senior Programme Manager, Democratic Accountability and Elections at KDI, Umar Dan’Assabe Muhammed, raised the concern on Thursday while speaking on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, monitored by DAILY POST in Abeokuta.
Muhammed said voter turnout has remained a major challenge for Nigeria’s democracy since 1999 and attributed the decline to disenchantment with governance and poor performance of elected officials, asserting that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has further discouraged participation.
“Voter turnout has been a major challenge for Nigeria’s democracy since 1999, and it has consistently nose-dived from 1999 up till the 2023 general election.
“Nigerians have voted, organized for candidates, but those elected go into office and disappoint voters. Many voters believe their votes will not count so they say ‘vote no go count’ and stay away,” he stated.
Muhammed also identified cumbersome Permanent Voter Card, PVC, collection procedures, poor voter education and fear of electoral violence as factors that could keep voters away.
He said some eligible voters face difficulties accessing collection centres, while others abandon the process because of distance, cost and inadequate information.
According to him, some Nigerians register mainly to obtain a means of identification rather than to vote.
Muhammed, however, said improvements introduced by INEC, including online options up to biometric capture, are encouraging.
“You can do everything online up to biometric capture, and only need to appear physically to collect PVC and to vote, which is a very good improvement that citizens, especially young people, should embrace,” he said.
He, however, maintained that voter education remains a major gap and called on INEC, the National Orientation Agency, political parties, civil society and the media to do more to inform citizens.
The KDI official also criticised political parties for focusing on attacks rather than issues affecting citizens.
He cited the 2023 presidential election and Peter Obi’s campaign as an example of how social media can boost political participation, but cautioned that online popularity does not automatically translate into votes.
Muhammed listed physical attacks, destruction of campaign materials and vote buying as practices that undermine confidence in elections and discourage turnout.
He called on INEC, security agencies, political parties and citizens to work together to improve voter education and promote peaceful elections ahead of 2027.
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