By Justina Auta, NAN, Abuja
Stakeholders and community leaders have intensified efforts to tackle voter apathy ahead of the 2027 general elections, focusing on rebuilding trust, deepening civic education, and mobilising grassroots participation across communities nationwide.
At a community outreach in Kurudu, Abuja, on Friday, stakeholders emphasised the need to address voter apathy to boost turnout, strengthen democracy, and ensure leaders reflect the will of the people.
The outreach was organised by Open Mind Young Voices Network, with support from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, to train youths on social democracy, leadership, and active citizenship in preparation for future electoral participation nationwide.
Shadrack Danladi, a development practitioner in democratic governance and youth participation, identified lack of trust in the electoral process as a major factor discouraging citizens from participating in elections.
Danladi said many Nigerians had lost confidence in the system, believing election outcomes often did not reflect their votes; a perception he said continued to weaken civic participation nationwide.
“Some participants feel their votes do not count and have lost confidence in the system. They believe that what they vote is not what is eventually announced.
“This lack of trust and confidence drives voter apathy,” he said, adding that persistent doubts about transparency and credibility of elections continue to discourage citizens from actively participating in the democratic process.
He also pointed to challenges in voter registration, noting that many citizens experienced stress while trying to obtain Permanent Voter Cards, which further discouraged participation in elections nationwide.
“Some people find the process stressful, and when it becomes too late to obtain their PVCs or even for those who already have PVCs they lose confidence in the process,” he said.
Danladi added that although more than 60 per cent of registered voters were young people, voter turnout had continued to decline since 2015, largely due to dwindling trust in the electoral system.
He called on civil society organisations, government agencies, community leaders, and religious leaders to intensify sensitisation efforts to restore public confidence in the electoral process and reduce voter apathy nationwide.
While facilitating the training, he said the exercise aims to change perceptions among participants, noting that many expressed willingness to participate in future elections and contribute to democratic processes.
“Some participants confirmed they have PVCs, while others said they do not. However, many of those without PVCs have committed to registering once the next window opens.
“Those who register will be first-time voters,” he said, adding that the training encouraged participants who had lost confidence in the system to still turn out and vote.
Danladi cited concerns raised by participants over logistical challenges, including cases where voters could not find their names at designated polling units during previous Federal Capital Territory elections.
“Such issues affect participation, but the training helps participants realise that they are the future and that their votes truly count,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the intervention would translate into improved turnout, particularly among participants who had shown renewed commitment to civic responsibilities and engagement in electoral processes.
“I am confident that nothing less than 85 per cent of the participants at this training will turn out in 2027 election to perform their civic duties.
“Beyond voting, we want to see them actively involved in leadership recruitment processes, including participation in political parties and civic engagement,” he said.
Danladi warned that sustaining Nigeria’s democracy required deliberate efforts to restore public trust and ensured credible elections, noting that loss of confidence could pose risks to democratic stability.
“When citizens lose faith in democracy, they may begin to consider alternatives, including military intervention. Nigeria has come a long way since the return to democratic rule.
“We must sustain this republic,” he said, urging leaders to prioritise credible elections, inclusive governance, and citizen confidence to secure the country’s democratic future.
Blessing Ekwere, Project Team Lead, said the initiative aimed to take civic education to grassroots communities, ensuring that knowledge gained was shared widely beyond initial participants in the training programme.
“This information is not beneficial if it remains only with those privileged to receive the training. The more we take it to rural communities and help people understand democracy.
“The better it will be for sustaining it,” she said, emphasising the need to expand civic awareness to strengthen democratic participation across underserved communities and rural areas.
She said feedback from citizen observers during the Feb. 2026 FCT election showed many young people stayed away from the polls due to distrust in the process.
“We also observed that turnout was very low, and there were cases of vote buying in some areas. We want to ensure that this does not happen in 2027.”
Ekwere said more than 70 youths were trained, with participants encouraged to register, confirm polling units, and serve as advocates promoting voter education within their communities and peer groups.
“The more people who are informed, the better it is for us as a nation,” she said, stressing the importance of informed citizens in strengthening democracy and governance.
Chief Ezra Gomna, District Head of Kurudu, represented by Ward Head Joseph Dakuru, emphasised the importance of grassroots mobilisation in strengthening democracy and promoting inclusive participation in elections.
“It will start from the grassroots to the national level. In the last local government election, we voted for someone we trust and believe can deliver dividends.”
He cautioned residents against vote buying, describing it as a short-term inducement that cannot guarantee lasting benefits or meaningful development for individuals and the wider community.
“We should not be deceived by items or money given to us. Such things last only a day or two and cannot sustain us. Our future is more important.
“We must vote right,” he said, urging voters to prioritise long-term benefits and credible leadership over temporary inducements during electoral processes across all levels.
Gomna urged the electorate to reject all forms of inducement and prioritise credible leadership, emphasising the need to build a stronger society through responsible voting and democratic participation.
“I advise the electorate to stand by the truth, fight for the future, and build our society by electing credible representatives,” he said.
Some participants expressed appreciation, noting the outreach changed their perceptions, rebuilt trust in the electoral process, and increased awareness of the importance of voting for credible leaders.
Shamsiya Musa, a student and resident, said, “I used to think that my vote doesn’t count because results are being manipulated, so there was no need to go through voting.
“But with this sensitisation exercise, I will definitely vote and even educate people on it,” she said, expressing renewed confidence in participating in future elections.
Gambo Baba called for reforms to ease registration, improve security, and prevent violence, adding that voters should reject inducements and support credible leaders committed to democratic governance.
“Enough is enough, we are not interested in gift items or money to buy our votes, we will only vote for credible leaders that have our interest.
“They must ensure democratic governance and development in our country,” he said. (NAN)
