Political disengagement is weakening Nigeria’s democracy and creating opportunities for narrow political interests to thrive.
This is according to a Project Assistant at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Chidinma Eferebo, in an article titled “Democracy Needs Active Citizens”.
Eferebo argued that while many Nigerians regularly express dissatisfaction with governance, declining voter turnout and reduced civic participation have undermined democratic accountability and strengthened entrenched political interests.
According to her, democracy does not only suffer when political leaders abuse power or engage in corruption but also when citizens withdraw from the democratic process.
“Political disengagement has increasingly become both a symptom of public frustration and a condition that benefits those who profit from the absence of public participation,” she stated.
Eferebo explained that political disengagement goes beyond staying away from the polls, describing it as the withdrawal of citizens from democratic processes through which they can influence public policy and hold leaders accountable.
She noted that economic hardship, social exclusion, unemployment and inadequate access to essential services have contributed significantly to citizens’ loss of confidence in political institutions.
According to her, while some Nigerians respond to these challenges by demanding change, many others become disillusioned after repeated experiences of unfulfilled political promises and institutional failures.
She warned that the growing scepticism towards democratic institutions has translated into declining voter turnout across successive elections.
Citing figures from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Eferebo noted that voter turnout fell to about 35 per cent during the 2019 general elections before dropping further to approximately 27 per cent in the 2023 polls.
She said lower voter participation allows organised political interests and patronage networks to wield disproportionate influence over electoral outcomes while weakening public scrutiny of those in power.
The CAPPA official also identified misinformation, electoral violence and persistent claims that election outcomes are predetermined as factors discouraging citizens from participating in elections.
She stressed that such narratives ultimately erode public trust and reduce governments’ accountability to the electorate.
Speaking on youth participation, Eferebo observed that although many young Nigerians feel politically excluded amid worsening socio-economic conditions, they have continued to demonstrate interest in shaping the country’s future.
She cited the #EndSARS movement as a major turning point that inspired greater civic consciousness among young Nigerians and contributed to increased political engagement during the 2023 general elections.
However, she noted that disappointment over the outcomes of the elections has left many young people frustrated and increasingly sceptical about the ability of democratic institutions to deliver meaningful change.
Despite this, Eferebo maintained that political apathy is not an effective response to governance challenges.
Instead, she called for sustained civic engagement through community organising, public education, informed policy debates, advocacy and continuous monitoring of elected officials.
She also encouraged citizens to leverage technology to promote accountability and strengthen democratic participation.
Eferebo concluded that Nigeria’s democratic future depends not only on elected leaders but also on citizens who remain actively engaged in shaping public affairs.
She stressed that democracy can only fulfil its promise when citizens actively participate in governance rather than becoming passive observers of decisions that affect their lives.
