Voter apathy in Nigeria rising geometrically, says Chidoka

By Alumona Ukwueze

ENUGU – Former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has raised concern over what he described as a steadily worsening voter apathy in Nigeria, warning that the trend reflects a troubling political culture.

Chidoka, who is also Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, said voter turnout in Nigeria has continued to decline over successive general elections, dropping from 53.7 per cent in 2011 to 43 per cent in 2015, 34 per cent in 2019, and 27 per cent in 2023.

He made the remarks on Thursday while delivering the 2nd Distinguished Personality Lecture Series at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), themed “Beyond Participation: Rebuilding Nigeria’s Political Culture for a New Generation.”

According to him, the decline in electoral participation represents a “serious political participation problem,” noting that citizens who abstain from voting often end up being affected by the outcomes of elections.

“We have a serious political participation problem. Between 2011 and 2023, our voting strength reduced from 53.7% to 27%. The negative side of this culture is that those who did not vote will determine those who will govern us,” he said.

Chidoka argued that voter apathy is not only a behavioural issue but also a reflection of structural challenges within Nigeria’s electoral system. He cited issues such as election-day logistics and scheduling, noting that holding elections on Saturdays—often non-working days—still does not guarantee higher turnout due to systemic inefficiencies.

He compared Nigeria’s system with India, where electoral materials are moved strategically to ensure access to voters, adding that many Nigerians face discouraging experiences such as delayed voting materials and long queues, which reduce their willingness to participate in future elections.

“If you are a trader and you close your shop to vote, and electoral materials arrive late, and after waiting for hours your candidate does not win, will you come out again to vote?” he queried.

In his welcome address, ESUT Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, described the lecture topic as timely, noting that the Distinguished Personality Lecture Series was designed to bring together students, academics, researchers, and policymakers to discuss national and global issues.

He described Chidoka as a distinguished figure whose record reflects the founding vision of the university, commending his commitment to leadership and excellence.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Lecture Organising Committee, Prof. Okechukwu Oji, described Chidoka as a respected voice in governance and reform, noting his contributions to transparency and institutional strengthening during his time in public office.