By Peace Udugba — The Daily Torch Media
A democracy advocacy group, KDI, has warned that declining public trust in elections, electoral violence, inadequate voter education and difficulties with Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection could worsen voter apathy ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Umar Dan’Assabe Muhammed, Senior Programme Manager for Democratic Accountability and Elections at KDI, gave the warning while speaking on Frontline, a programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
Muhammed said low voter turnout had remained a major challenge to Nigeria’s democracy since the return to civilian rule in 1999, expressing concern over the persistent gap between registered voters and those who eventually cast their ballots.
“Voter turnout has been a major challenge for Nigeria’s democracy since 1999, and it has consistently nose-dived from 1999 up till the 2023 general election,” he said.
Disappointment with Political Leaders Fuels Voter Apathy
Muhammed attributed declining voter participation partly to public disappointment with elected officials, noting that many Nigerians who actively supported political candidates had become disillusioned with their performance after assuming office.
He said the repeated failure of political leaders to meet voters’ expectations had weakened citizens’ enthusiasm for participating in subsequent elections.
The KDI programme manager also identified declining confidence in the electoral process and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as factors discouraging eligible voters.
According to him, some Nigerians believe their votes will not influence electoral outcomes and consequently choose to stay away from polling stations.
“Many voters believe their votes will not count, so they say, ‘vote no go count’ and stay away,” he said.
PVC Collection Challenges Could Discourage Young Voters
Muhammed identified cumbersome PVC collection procedures, inadequate public information and logistical difficulties as additional obstacles to electoral participation, particularly among young Nigerians.
He acknowledged that INEC had introduced online options for some stages of voter registration but said some eligible voters continued to encounter difficulties navigating the process.
He added that others remained unaware of when and where to collect their PVCs.
“For every single step, people get lost along the way,” he said.
According to Muhammed, the location of designated PVC collection centres could also create difficulties for residents of large wards, forcing some voters to travel long distances and incur additional transportation costs.
He noted that some applicants also experienced unsuccessful collection attempts, requiring them to return to collection centres.
Muhammed observed that while some Nigerians registered primarily to obtain PVCs as identification documents, others abandoned the process because of the time and effort required.
“The process from registration to voting is extremely too long for this generation to cope with. As young people’s level of perseverance is low, so they give up and don’t vote even after collecting PVC,” he said.
However, he described the introduction of online registration options as a positive development that eligible voters should embrace.
He encouraged young people to take advantage of available digital services, noting that online processes could reduce the number of times applicants needed to visit INEC offices before completing their registration.
INEC, NOA Urged to Intensify Voter Education
The KDI programme manager identified inadequate voter education as another major factor contributing to low electoral participation.
He said INEC, civil society organisations and the media had important roles to play in informing citizens about voter registration, PVC collection and voting procedures.
He also emphasised the responsibilities of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and political parties in mobilising eligible voters and promoting participation in the electoral process.
According to him, insufficient public awareness leaves some citizens uninformed about registration requirements and collection arrangements, potentially preventing them from participating in elections.
Muhammed stressed that effective voter education should provide clear, timely and accessible information to ensure that eligible Nigerians understand the steps required to exercise their voting rights.
Political Parties Told to Focus on Issues, Not Violence
Muhammed also criticised political parties for failing to make citizens’ concerns the central focus of their campaigns.
He argued that political campaigns dominated by attacks on opponents, hostility and confrontation were unlikely to inspire voters who wanted practical solutions to their everyday challenges.
“What the people really want to hear from political actors is how to better their lot, but instead the polity is heated with electoral violence,” he said.
He urged political actors to focus their campaigns on pressing national issues, including economic hardship, public services and policies capable of improving citizens’ living conditions.
He warned that electoral violence and other forms of political intimidation could further weaken public confidence and discourage participation.
Social Media Mobilisation Must Translate into Votes
Muhammed cited the 2023 presidential election and Peter Obi’s campaign as an example of how social media mobilisation could influence political participation and challenge established political forces.
He noted that digital platforms had helped candidates and their supporters reach wider audiences and generate political enthusiasm beyond traditional campaign structures.
However, he cautioned that online popularity alone could not determine electoral outcomes.
According to him, supporters must translate their online engagement into actual participation by turning out to vote on election day.
He stressed the importance of combining digital mobilisation with voter education, grassroots engagement and peaceful participation to achieve meaningful electoral impact.
Fear of Electoral Violence Discourages Voters
The KDI official also identified fear of violence as a significant reason some Nigerians avoid elections.
He listed physical attacks, the destruction of campaign materials and vote buying among practices that could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
Muhammed said the tense atmosphere surrounding some elections could discourage citizens who feared for their personal safety.
He called for greater efforts by political parties, security agencies and other stakeholders to prevent violence, protect voters and ensure that citizens could exercise their voting rights without intimidation.
Stakeholders Urged to Boost Participation Ahead of 2027
Muhammed called on INEC, security agencies, political parties, civil society organisations, the media and citizens to work together to address the factors contributing to voter apathy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He emphasised the need for stronger voter education, improved PVC collection arrangements, peaceful political campaigns and greater accountability among elected officials.
He also urged Nigerians to look beyond obtaining PVCs for identification purposes and recognise the importance of voting as a means of influencing leadership and holding public officeholders accountable.
Muhammed maintained that restoring public confidence in elections would require both institutional improvements and a stronger commitment by political leaders to address citizens’ concerns.
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, the challenge for electoral stakeholders will be to convince eligible voters that their participation matters and that the democratic process can deliver leaders who respond to their needs.
Tags: KDI, 2027 elections, voter apathy, INEC, PVC collection, voter education, Umar Dan’Assabe Muhammed, electoral violence, Nigeria democracy, Peter Obi
