BY JULIET NONYE
Kaduna
A youth-based organisation, the Right Youths Forum (TRYF), has called for urgent reforms to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process following the low turnout recorded in the just-concluded Zaria Kewaye Constituency bye-election in Kaduna State.
According to figures released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), only 39,045 out of 164,390 registered voters participated in the exercise, while 125,345 abstained. The All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 26,613 votes to win, followed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) with 5,721 votes, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 5,331, and other parties with 1,380 votes.
In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Sagir Baba Nationalist, the group said the outcome of the poll was less about which party emerged victorious and more about the disturbing level of apathy among the electorate.
The forum noted that voter turnout had dropped from 40.1 per cent in the 2023 general elections to 23.8 per cent in the bye-election, describing the fall as a clear warning sign for Nigeria’s democracy.
“The PDP suffered the sharpest decline in votes, losing over 80 per cent of its 2023 tally, while the APC shed 23 per cent of its support. The SDP, which garnered 5,721 votes, was described as a potential rallying point for disenchanted voters if properly mobilised”.
TRYF expressed worry that despite Zaria Kewaye being home to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, a serving Federal Minister, and other top political figures, the election still recorded barely 24 per cent participation.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must urgently intensify voter engagement, while both the Executive and the National Assembly should pursue far-reaching reforms to restore citizens’ trust in the electoral process”.
“As a youth-based organisation committed to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, we call for immediate, inclusive, and transparent measures to rebuild public confidence in elections. Democracy cannot thrive on apathy”.
The group warned that unless urgent action is taken, silence may soon “become the loudest voice” in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
