FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike
As residents of the Federal Capital Territory went to the polls for council elections, what should have been a grassroots democratic exercise instead reflected a troubling reality, voter apathy deepened by fear, uncertainty, and restrictive governance measures.
At the center of the storm is Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the FCT, whose security-driven curfew policy has drawn sharp reactions from political observers and civil society groups.
Democracy in a Climate of Fear.
Local government elections are the closest expression of democracy to the people. They determine leadership at the ward and area council levels, leadership that directly impacts markets, sanitation, primary healthcare, and community development.
Yet turnout across polling units reportedly remained low. Many residents quietly asked:
– How can democracy thrive when movement is restricted?
– Can citizens freely mobilize, campaign, or even gather politically under the weight of curfew directives?
– Does security enforcement unintentionally suppress civic participation?
While security concerns are legitimate in any capital city, democracy also requires an atmosphere of openness, confidence, and political freedom.
The Problem of Voter Apathy.
Voter apathy in the FCT did not start today. It is rooted in:
– Growing distrust in political processes.
– Perceived lack of local government autonomy.
– The belief that outcomes are predetermined.
– Economic hardship overshadowing civic engagement.
Now, when you add curfew restrictions into this equation, the psychological impact multiplies. Politics becomes secondary to survival.
Governance vs. Political Space.
Supporters of the Minister argue that security stability must come first. They insist curfew measures are administrative, not political.
Critics counter that timing matters. Introducing or sustaining strict security controls close to election periods risks sending the wrong message, that civic space is shrinking.
The FCT is not just another territory; it is the symbolic heart of Nigeria. What happens in Abuja sets a precedent for the rest of the country.
A Dangerous Precedent?
If security policies, however well-intentioned, indirectly discourage political participation, thNyee long-term cost may be greater than the short-term security gains.
Democracy is not sustained merely by conducting elections. It survives through:
– Public confidence.
– Transparency.
– Freedom of political movement.
– Equal opportunity for participation.
When citizens begin to disengage, the system weakens from within.
The Bigger Question.
The real issue is not just Wike’s curfew. It is whether governance in the FCT is evolving in a way that strengthens or constrains democratic culture.
Council elections should energize communities. Instead, the story emerging from Abuja is one of silence at polling units and cautious political engagement.
And in democracy, silence is never neutral, it is often a warning sign.
Amb. Anderson Osiebe, Executive Director, HallowMace Foundation Africa, Public Policy Expert and an Administrator writes from Abuja.
