By Abubakar Yunusa

Nigeria’s declining voter turnout remains a pressing issue, and addressing it requires a multi-faceted approach, according to a new policy brief presented by Yiaga Africa.

The research, sponsored by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, highlights the need for improved voter education, better election management, and reforms in the registration process.

Yiaga Africa recommends that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) collaborate with civil society organisations (CSOs), the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and political parties to design a more effective voter education strategy.

Speaking at the presentation in Abuja, lead researchers Professor Okechukwu Ibeanu and Dr. Remi Aiyede from the University of Ibadan identified key measures to boost participation.

These include enhancing voting services, ensuring security, and addressing logistical and psychological barriers that discourage voters.

“Strict and unbiased enforcement of electoral laws—such as penalties for voter intimidation, hate speech, and violence—is crucial to building trust and accountability,” the report noted.

The study emphasised the need for a multi-platform approach to reach diverse audiences. Social media can engage younger, urban voters, while radio and television remain vital for older and rural populations.

“Community outreach, town halls, and grassroots initiatives should target marginalised groups, including women, persons with disabilities, and ethnic minorities, with materials in local languages and accessible formats.

The report identifies three predominant models of voting behaviour in Nigeria:Self-interest voting,collective well-being voting and candidate/party loyalty voting.

Speaking with Journalists on the sidelines of the policy brief,Yiaga Africa’s Executive Director, Samson Itodo, clarified that Nigeria does not need a new voter register but rather a thorough clean-up of the existing one, which is the largest database of registered voters in Africa.

He suggested a revalidation exercise for voters registered since 2011. “If a voter does not show up to revalidate their details, they should be removed from the register,” he said.

Itodo also raised concerns over the cost of elections, explaining that ballot papers are printed based on the total number of registered voters. With only 27% turnout in the 2023 elections, he noted that millions of ballot papers went to waste, amounting to billions of naira that could have been invested in healthcare, education, or small businesses.

He further questioned the continued use of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), advocating for a system where national identity cards or passports could serve as valid voter identification.

“Many Nigerians were disenfranchised in the last election because INEC did not produce their PVCs. If we already have their details in the voter register, why not allow them to vote with an accepted national identity document?”

Itodo argued that political parties should play a greater role in mobilising voters, rather than relying solely on CSOs and the media.

“Political parties are the biggest beneficiaries of elections, yet they invest little in voter mobilisation. Instead of inducing voters with money, they should focus on civic engagement,” he stated.

He also suggested that schools and universities establish clubs to educate young people about democracy beyond elections.

“Democracy is about holding leaders accountable, not just voting every four years,” he said.

INEC’s Director of Research and Documentation, Ibrahim Sani, acknowledged the challenges in cleaning up Nigeria’s voter register.

“There is no clear legal provision in Nigeria on how to remove ineligible voters from the register. This creates legal, cultural, and technical obstacles for INEC,” he explained.

Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, has warned that the growing trend of vote buying is threatening Nigeria’s democracy.

Speaking on Thursday at the sixth annual lecture of Freedom Online Newspaper in Lagos, Adams criticised both political leaders and citizens for their roles in undermining democratic processes.

He cited examples from recent elections in Edo state and Ondo state, claiming that votes were openly traded party agents and the electorate.

Adams said citizens who should hold their leaders accountable have “thrown away their franchise” by selling their votes during elections.

He expressed concerns about the 2027 general elections, warning that the country’s democracy was at risk.

Adam called for urgent electoral reforms and the removal of Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), before his tenure ends in late 2025.

He also advocated for restructuring, arguing that Nigeria’s federating units should be allowed to function independently to address governance challenges.

“Our leaders display a nonchalant attitude toward the governance of this country. The led (citizens) sold their rights and threw away their franchise,” Adams said.

“The experiences at the Edo and Ondo governorship elections gave a serious concern about the country’s democracy.

“There was an area during the Ondo election in which N20,000 each was paid to voters during the elections. The least was N10,000. The highest bidder won the election.

“This is giving us concern about what will happen in 2027. This trend is showing that our democracy is gradually going to the grave. We need to do something drastically to reform our electoral reforms.

“Restructuring will take care of all these anomalies. We will continue to speak high-sounding grammars if we do not restructure this country. Federating units must be allowed to function.”

The event was attended by Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, represented by Tele Ikuru, a former deputy of the state; Bode George, ex-deputy national chairman (south) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); and Gbenga Daniel, a former governor of Ogun state.

Other dignitaries include Adewole Adebayo, presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 2023; and Kofoworola Bucknor Akerele, former deputy governor of Lagos state.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to his Kaduna residence after spending two years in Daura, Katsina State, since leaving office in May 2023.

Before leaving the office, Buhari said he would settle in Daura and care for his cattle.

A few weeks ago, while receiving journalists at his residence in Daura, Buhari said that he was feeding from his Kaduna House rent.

Now that he has launched a comeback to Kaduna, a city he retired to as a military president, it is not clear whether he will now be living at the boy’s quarters or he has evicted his tenants.

Besides his cattle rearing, there has been no concrete reason Buhari opted for a quiet life in his hometown and largely avoided active political discussions, focusing on private engagements.

President Buhari was accompanied to Kaduna from Daura by Vice President Kashim Shettima and high-profile dignitaries, including the governor of Borno State, Prof Babagana Zulum, and his counterpart, the Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, current and former Deputy Governors of Katsina State, a retired Inspector General of Police, former ministers, and several of his aides.

In a post by Buhari’s Media Aide, Bashir Ahmad, the former president met with a warm reception from well-wishers in Katsina, who were also received by Mallam Mamman Daura, Musa Halilu (Dujiman Adamawa), and Bashir Ahmad, who gathered to welcome him back.”