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INEC Blames Poverty, Insecurity For Voter Apathy
A National Commissioner with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Lai Olorode, has identified poverty and insecurity as a factor militating against voter apathy in elections.
Olorode told newsmen on Thursday in Lagos that there had not been “a thorough battle” against poverty in Nigeria since 2004.
It will be recalled that political observers have said that the turnout of voters in recent elections have been very low, especially when compared with the turnout during the April 2011 elections.
Governorship elections held in Cross River and Bayelsa were characterised by voter apathy, a situation, which a cross section of observer groups attributed to lack of enlightenment and voter education.
“The security situation and the rising level of poverty is a factor that has deprived people from coming out to vote in elections.
“If these issues are not addressed before 2015, it may be difficult to convince voters of the need for them to come out to exercise their franchise,” he said.
According to him, poverty has become more excruciating since 2004.
The commissioner urged the Local, State and Federal Governments to do more in addressing these issues and to impress the average Nigerians, saying “the ball is at the door step of those in government”.
“In the context of poor governance, generally speaking, I am not sure what we have seen since 1999 are really too good or too motivating for the ordinary person on the street to really feel a sense of enthusiasm to troop out to vote,” he said.
He said that it was only good governance that could bring out the electorate out to exercise their civic rights.
“Our role is to make sure we organise a true and fair, credible election which I think we have tried to do.
“Of course there are pit falls, there are holes here and there but we have tried our best,” he said.
He added that the commission had just concluded a study on voter apathy hoping that the trend would be reversed before 2015.
Malam Auawl Rafsanjani, Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC), argued that the reason electorate no longer have interest in elections was because politicians did not allow Nigerians to elect a candidate of their choice.
“The solution to this is for the politicians and political parties to allow Nigerians to elect candidates of their choice and let the true results be reflected.
“They know that the people would be able to participate in the process but if they knew that after they cast their votes other result would be announced, it would further discourage and demoralise them from coming out,” he said.
Rafsanjani, however, said for the country to move forward, political parties and politicians must begin to respect the results of the elections or the votes of the people.
Alhaji Balarabe Musa, National Chairman of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), urged those elected to ensure that they satisfied the needs of the people.
“The voters do not think their votes will count because of rigging and they do not see clear and qualitative difference between one candidate and another or between the parties sponsoring the candidates,” he said.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
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Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.