2027: Olawepo-Hashim raises alarm over voter apathy

…says turnout fell to 26.71% in 2023, blames distrust, poverty, insecurity; urges electoral reforms

The Accord Party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has raised concerns over declining voter participation in Nigeria, warning that distrust in the electoral process, poverty and insecurity threaten the country’s democratic future.

Olawepo-Hashim, whose nomination as Accord Party’s presidential candidate was affirmed by a Federal High Court in Abuja on October 5, said the sharp decline in voter turnout reflected growing public disillusionment with the political system and the need for urgent electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 elections.

He spoke through the Vice-Chancellor of Baze University, Prof. Abiodun Gabriel Adeniyi, who delivered his keynote address at a colloquium in Abuja marking the 60th birthday of civic advocate, Chief Ezenwa Nwagwu, and the public presentation of his book, Eze Unhinged: Electoral Reforms, a Participant’s View and Reflection.

Olawepo-Hashim cited the decline in voter turnout from previous election cycles to 26.71 per cent in the 2023 presidential election as evidence of the growing disconnect between citizens and the political process.

He argued that democracy could not thrive where citizens lacked confidence that their votes would count or felt that electoral outcomes would make little difference to their living conditions.

According to him, poverty and insecurity further limit citizens’ ability and willingness to participate in elections, making it necessary for political leaders and electoral institutions to rebuild public trust.

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The Accord Party candidate’s warning comes as political parties and aspirants begin positioning themselves for the 2027 general election, with voter participation expected to remain a major test of the credibility and inclusiveness of the electoral process.

His candidacy had been the subject of a dispute with the Accord Party’s national leadership, which had earlier challenged the validity of his nomination. However, the Federal High Court ruling of October 5 affirmed his candidacy and directed the party to submit his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which was ordered to accept and recognise it upon submission.

At the colloquium, former Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, also stressed the importance of ideological clarity, accountability and stronger political parties in deepening democracy.

Melaye argued that political parties should offer clear policy alternatives and remain accountable to citizens rather than operate merely as platforms for winning elections.

The celebrant, Nwagwu, drew attention to the limited representation of women in Nigeria’s political process, calling for measures to address barriers to their participation and promote more inclusive governance.

President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr. Ike Neliaku, emphasised the need for cooperation across generations, noting that stronger engagement between younger and older Nigerians could contribute to addressing the country’s democratic and development challenges.

The chairman of the colloquium, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, highlighted the importance of independent institutions, expanded economic opportunities and a stronger sense of national identity in building a stable democratic society.

The discussions formed part of broader reflections on electoral reform, political participation and the challenges confronting Nigeria’s democracy as the country approaches the 2027 general election.