Posted by Samuel on Mon 23rd Feb, 2026 - tori.ng
In a statement posted on his verified X handle on Sunday, Atiku described the turnout as a damning verdict on the state of Nigeria’s democracy under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed disappointment over the results of the FCT Area Council election, highlighting concerns about the low voter turnout recorded during Saturday’s polls.
In a statement posted on his verified X handle on Sunday, Atiku described the turnout as a damning verdict on the state of Nigeria’s democracy under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, said such poor civic participation in the nation’s capital is not accidental but the result of a political environment poisoned by intolerance, intimidation, and the systematic weakening of opposition voices.
He alleged that the Bola Tinubu-led government is shrinking the democratic space, harassing dissenters, and fostering a climate where alternative political views are treated as threats.
“When citizens lose faith that their votes matter, democracy begins to die. This is not mere voter apathy. Democracy in Nigeria is being suffocated—slowly and dangerously,” he said.
The Adamawa-born politician cautioned that continued erosion of participatory governance could cause lasting damage to the country’s democratic foundations and called on opposition parties to unite.