Nigeria’s Civic Collapse: Why Trust Is Eroding & Voter Turnout Hit a Record Low in 2023
The Moment Nigeria Lost Its Civic Pulse
The 2023 general elections in Nigeria plunged to a historic low—just 26.71% of registered voters cast their ballots, a disheartening decline from previous cycles and the lowest since democracy's re-establishment in 1999. If immediate reforms are not enacted, voter participation could dwindle even further in 2027.
Steady Decline: Nigeria’s Voter Turnout (Presidential Elections)
YearTurnout (%)
1999 52.3%
2003 69.1%
2023 26.71%
This trajectory reveals a catastrophic erosion of civic engagement. Despite high voter registration (93 million), turnout barely reached 24 million on election day.
Why the Apathy? Experts Reveal Disturbing Trends
1. Broken Systems & Distrust in INEC
A staggering 40% of Nigerians said they didn’t trust INEC in a pre-election survey—reflecting deep skepticism about the electoral body's impartiality.
2. Logistical Failures & Violence
Reports revealed that BVAS failures, late or absent officials, thugs disrupting polling units, and even ballot destruction marred the process. EU observers also noted widespread disorganization, missing result forms, and poor adherence to protocol.
3. Youth Disillusionment
High PVC issuance did not translate to votes. Cheap to obtain, many treated PVCs more as an ID than a civic duty, contributing to turnout disconnect.
4. Perception of No Real Change
Political disillusionment ran deep—many blame the APC’s tenure for renewing cycles of misgovernance, nepotism, and economic hardship. The fleeting optimism of 2015 under Jonathan gave way to renewed disenchantment under Buhari, dampening civic enthusiasm.
The Mahmood Yakubu Question: Too Long at the Helm?
Another critical factor is leadership fatigue at INEC. Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who has served as INEC Chairman since 2015, is now the longest-serving head of Nigeria’s electoral body in history. While some credit him with introducing technologies like BVAS, many argue that under his watch, trust in the system has deteriorated to its lowest point.
Yakubu’s prolonged stay has fueled calls for change. Opposition parties, civil society, and ordinary Nigerians are increasingly demanding that someone credible, impartial, and independent of party politics take over INEC before the 2027 elections.
Without a leadership shake-up, critics warn, INEC risks being permanently branded as partisan and untrustworthy—a perception that could completely collapse voter confidence.
Voices from the Ground
“Of those 93 million eligible voters, only around 24 million turned up to vote this weekend.”
“Voting in Nigeria is just theater—great for optics, but the plot never really changes.”
These sentiments—echoing frustration and resignation—capture why turnout is plummeting: many believe their vote simply doesn’t matter.
Driving the Fix: Reform Must Be Bold and Immediate
Depoliticize INEC
Prohibit political party operatives from holding INEC appointments and consider new leadership to rebuild credibility.
Legal Incentives for Voters
Enact laws or incentives (not vote-buying, but civic encouragement) to promote participation leading up to 2027.
Sustained Civic Education
Launch awareness campaigns now through to the next election, emphasizing how voting leads to accountability.
Overhaul Logistics and Security
Ensure functional BVAS, timely staffing, secure polling units, and transparent result transmission.
Build Trust Through Transparency
INEC must regularly communicate findings, audit results, and publicly address failures to gradually restore public faith.
Democracy Demands Action—Now
Nigeria is at a crossroads. Voter participation disintegrated to historic lows in 2023—not because Nigerians ceased caring, but because they no longer trust that their votes matter. The prolonged leadership of Mahmood Yakubu at INEC, combined with systemic failures, has only deepened this distrust.
Without credible reforms, renewed leadership, and restored public faith, voter trust—and democracy itself—will continue to erode.
Nigeria’s civic pulse can still be revived. But it requires collective will, institutional reform, and fresh leadership at INEC. The stakes couldn’t be higher heading into 2027.
0 Comments