By Salisu Ibrahim
Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) and Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), yesterday raised serious concerns over voter apathy, logistical failures, and alleged political interference in recent elections in FCT, Kano, and Rivers States.
The CSO’s accused FCT Minister Nyesom Wike of undermining public trust.
“He showed up at multiple polling units in Abuja — yet he’s not a registered voter there and has no constitutional role in elections”, the CSO’s said.
CISLAC and TMG therefore called on President Bola Tinubu to enforce strict adherence to the law by public officials to stop erosion of electoral trust.
They oppose movement restrictions imposed before the FCT Area Council election — saying they suppressed voter turnout.
They warn that persistent disengagement weakens democracy. “When citizens stop voting, election becomes selection. In some spots, only 10 people voted all day — proof of deepening apathy, they said.
Polling units in Kwali and Abaji were inaccessible to wheelchair users. Magnifying glasses and Braille posters were missing in over 60% of units observed, making people with disabilities to face huge barriers.
They also alleged that logistics failed too, in addition to late deployment of staff/voting materials in Abuja Municipal Area Council. Some polling units were moved without notice thereby disenfranchising voters.
Vote-buying was also reported and in Rivers the heavy militarization scared off voters — especially women.
Similarly, major political parties were mysteriously absent from ballots in Kano and Rivers, raising suspicions of exclusion.
CSOs demand INEC explain party exclusions, audit accessibility, ensure transparent result collation, and urge security agencies to stay neutral.
With what happened during the recent by-elections, TMG and CISLAC vow to keep pushing for reforms — warning: “If these issues aren’t fixed, Nigeria’s democracy will keep bleeding.”
