By Sani Idris Abdulrahman
Sagir Baba-Nationalist, National Chairman of the Think Right Youths Forum, has expressed deep concern over the alarming voter apathy recorded in the Zaria Kewaye Constituency bye-election, with only 39,045 voters participating out of 164,390 registered voters.
In a statement issued to newsmen on Friday in Kaduna, Baba-Nationalist explained that a staggering 125,345 voters abstained from the ballot box, while the APC emerged with 26,613 votes, SDP with 5,721, PDP with 5,331, and other parties with 1,380.
Baba-Nationalist added that the comparative analysis between the 2023 general election and the 2025 bye-election shows a significant drop in voter turnout, with a 26,853 decrease in voters, representing a 16.3% point decline.
He noted that the PDP's collapse and APC's resilience suggest either PDP voters stayed at home, switched to other parties, or had candidate selection issues, with PDP losing over 80% of its 2023 votes.
The national chairman highlighted that the SDP's entry with 5,721 votes indicates a constituency for an alternative opposition when voters are mobilized, and they can capture disaffected voters if they organize and field visible candidates.
Baba-Nationalist emphasized that the low voter turnout is even more worrisome given the constituency's national significance, with influential figures such as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and a Federal Minister.
He added that despite the huge resources committed, voter turnout collapsed to barely 24%, sending a worrying message to the rest of the country.
The national chairman called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to urgently intensify voter engagement, while the Executive and National Assembly must pursue far-reaching reforms to restore citizens' trust in the electoral process.
Baba-Nationalist stressed that democracy cannot thrive on apathy and that decisive action is necessary to rebuild public confidence in elections, warning that unless action is taken, silence may become the loudest voice in Nigeria's democratic journey.
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