Atiku Abubakar
Picnews
Atiku Abubakar, at the ADC chieftain, has expressed concern over the low voter turnout in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, saying democracy is being suffocated under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He described the turnout, which averaged below 20%, as a “damning verdict” on the state of Nigeria’s democracy, with the Abuja Municipal Area Council recording a mere 7.8% participation.
Atiku attributed the low turnout to a political environment poisoned by intolerance, intimidation, and the systematic weakening of opposition voices. He warned that the steady erosion of participatory governance could inflict irreversible damage on Nigeria’s democratic fabric, leaving “democracy in name only.
The former Vice President called on opposition parties and democratic forces to unite against what he described as creeping authoritarianism, emphasizing that “when citizens lose faith that their votes matter, democracy begins to die.
Atiku’s comments reflect opposition frustration with the APC’s electoral dominance, and his warning signals the depth of political polarization ahead of 2027.
The APC won five of the six FCT chairmanship seats, while the PDP secured one seat in Gwagwalada .
Atiku accused the Tinubu administration of shrinking democratic space, harassing dissenters, and fostering a climate where alternative political views are treated as threats.
He urged Nigerians to stand together to rescue and rebuild the country, saying “this is no longer about party lines; it is about preserving the Republic.
The low voter turnout is a concern for Nigeria’s democratic health, and Atiku’s warning highlights the need for opposition unity and vibrant political competition .
