LAGOS (SUNDIATA POST) – Prominent political figures and scholars have raised fresh concerns about the state of Nigeria’s democracy, warning that rising poverty, entrenched cash politics, partisan manipulation of electoral laws and growing voter apathy could undermine the credibility of future elections if urgent reforms are not undertaken.
The concerns were expressed on Sunday during a high-level policy dialogue at the Boiling Point Arena, where participants examined the implications of recent amendments to Nigeria’s Electoral Law ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Panelists at the discussion—transmitted via Zoom and broadcast live on seven radio stations—were former Niger State Governor, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu; Ogun State governorship hopeful, Segun Showunmi; and UK-based scholar, Olugbenro Oyekan of the University of Oxford.
The monthly discourse, now in its 41st edition, was hosted by veteran media professional and public relations strategist, Ayo Arowojolu.
Aliyu opened the discussion with a stark warning that worsening poverty across the country has become a potent tool for electoral manipulation, noting that many politicians now exploit the desperation of citizens to influence voting behaviour.
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According to him, growing frustration with governance has created a climate in which voters can easily be swayed by immediate survival needs.
“Nigerians are already frustrated about leadership in Nigeria. They can vote anything to scramble for what to eat,” Aliyu said, adding that politicians have increasingly capitalised on economic hardship to perfect vote-buying and other electoral malpractices.
Showunmi, in his intervention, highlighted the growing problem of voter apathy, describing it as one of the gravest threats to Nigeria’s democratic future.
He blamed the political elite for what he called the “demarketing” of democracy through broken promises, manipulation of party primaries and widespread vote-buying.
“When people don’t vote, they have already voted with their silence,” he said.
Showunmi argued that declining participation in elections reflects a deepening loss of faith in the political system, citing the roughly 29 percent voter turnout recorded in some recent off-cycle elections as evidence of widespread public disengagement.
He also criticised lawmakers for what he described as self-serving legislative practices.
“Laws are now created in the legislature to suit the legislators themselves,” he said.
Despite the bleak outlook, Showunmi urged young Nigerians to take greater responsibility for safeguarding democracy by actively participating in elections.
“If this generation cannot perform civic duties, they lose the moral right to complain,” he added.
Offering an international perspective, Oyekan said periodic amendments to electoral laws are necessary to strengthen democratic systems but warned that such reforms must not be driven by narrow partisan interests.
“Constant review does not mean people should not trust the process,” he said, noting that electoral frameworks must evolve to confront challenges such as money politics and emerging forms of political manipulation.
However, he stressed that the credibility of reforms ultimately depends on the sincerity of political actors.
“Amendments must not be driven by partisan motives,” Oyekan cautioned, adding that legal reforms alone cannot guarantee credible elections without a broader shift in political values and leadership culture.
The Boiling Point Arena discourse is broadcast live on several radio stations including WASH 94.9FM, Sweet 107.1FM, Roots 97.1FM, Erimbe 94.7FM, Women Radio 91.7FM, Kruzz 92.9FM in Asaba, and Opera Tune 106.3FM, as well as on NSTV on GoTV Channel 316.
Excerpt:
Political leaders and scholars warn that rising poverty, vote-buying, partisan electoral reforms and growing voter apathy could weaken Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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Nigeria democracy, 2027 elections, voter apathy, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, Segun Showunmi, electoral law reform, vote buying, poverty and politics, Boiling Point Arena, Nigerian politics