Former Vice President of Nigeria and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, said low voter turnout in Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections reflects what he described as conditions constraining democratic participation.

He made his comments in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.

Area Council elections were held on Saturday in the six councils of the FCT for chairmanship and councillorship seats. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials reported voter turnout figures that were low relative to registered voters in the territory.

Atiku, who is also a leading member of the ADC, addressed the turnout and broader environment in the statement following the polls.

Atiku noted turnout in the FCT polls averaged below 20 per cent, with the Abuja Municipal Area Council recording about 7.8 per cent participation, according to his statement.

In the statement titled “Democracy Under Siege: Tinubu’s Chokehold Is Suffocating the Republic,” Atiku said low civic participation in the FCT was a response to the political climate that he described as marked by intolerance, intimidation, and weakening of opposition voices. He referenced the environment in which political actors and views operate.

Atiku’s statement included references to national political conditions under the current administration. He said conditions in the political environment influence citizens’ confidence and participation in elections.

Atiku said, “When citizens lose faith that their votes matter, democracy begins to die.”

He added, “What we are witnessing is not mere voter apathy. It is a direct consequence of an administration that governs with a chokehold on pluralism. Democracy in Nigeria is being suffocated slowly, steadily, and dangerously.”

Atiku also said, “This is no longer about party lines; it is about preserving the Republic. The time to stand together to rescue and rebuild Nigeria is now.”

Atiku’s comments contribute to ongoing public discourse on electoral participation and democratic processes in Nigeria.

The FCT Area Council elections have drawn attention to turnout figures and the broader political context in which elections are conducted.

Public statements by senior political figures often influence national discussions about governance, civic engagement, and electoral administration as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.