Low Voter Turnout Threatens Democracy – Otti

Low Voter Turnout Threatens Democracy – Otti

On Thursday in Lagos, Abia State Governor Alex Otti warned that falling voter turnout is weakening democracy and worsening governance.

He spoke at a public lecture hosted by The Niche at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs. He said fewer Nigerians are taking part in elections. The trend, he noted, is shaping poor leadership outcomes.

Otti linked the country’s economic struggles to years of political decisions and weak civic participation. He said declining turnout means only a small share of citizens decide who leads.

This, he explained, reduces accountability and allows bad governance to persist. He added that poverty, unemployment and weak institutions are tied to these patterns.

He urged Nigerians to take political participation more seriously beyond just voting. According to him, citizens must stay engaged and hold leaders accountable after elections.

He also warned against vote buying and poor knowledge of candidates, saying both lead to weak leadership choices. He stressed that active citizenship is key to national progress.

The governor said Nigeria’s recovery depends on better decisions by both leaders and citizens. He warned that ignoring the political process would worsen economic conditions.

He also called for patience and long-term discipline in fixing structural issues. Other speakers at the event echoed concerns about governance and the state of the economy.