Ireti Kingibe disappointed over voter apathy in FCT
Senator Ireti Kingibe has expressed disappointment over low voter turnout in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, describing the pervasive voter apathy as a matter of concern for democratic engagement in Nigeria’s capital.
🗣️ What She Said
Sen. Kingibe lamented that too few eligible voters cast ballots in the recent Area Council polls, saying the level of participation fell far short of expectations for a region with high civic awareness. She emphasised that voting is a fundamental civic duty, and urged residents not to “cede the future of their communities to a minority.”
According to her, even in places where voting was peaceful and well-organised, “the numbers simply didn’t reflect the population.” Kingibe noted that voter apathy undermines the legitimacy of elected leaders and weakens the voice of ordinary citizens in local governance.
She also suggested that a lack of voter education, disenchantment with political processes, and poor motivation may have contributed to the low turnout. The senator stressed that authorities, civil society, and political parties must work together to rebuild citizens’ trust in elections and make democracy more meaningful at the grassroots level.
📊 Context
The FCT Area Council elections were held on February 21, 2026, across six councils — AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Abaji, and Kwali. Reports from observers and INEC officials indicated that while voting was largely smooth, voter engagement was disappointingly low, particularly in urban and peri-urban wards where turnout was expected to be higher.
Sen. Kingibe’s reaction resonated with civil society groups, many of whom have also highlighted apathy as a major challenge for local electoral credibility. Analysts say that low participation in local elections can stem from:
Perceptions that local government has limited impact on daily life,
Voters feeling disengaged from party politics,
Insufficient awareness campaigns before election day, and
General distrust of electoral integrity.
🗳️ Why It Matters
Sen. Kingibe warned that sustained voter apathy can “erode the democratic foundation” of local governance, especially if leaders are elected by only a small fraction of eligible voters. She called for renewed efforts in civic education, youth outreach, and institutional reforms to encourage Nigerians to turn out in greater numbers for future elections.
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