By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Prominent political figures in Lagos have raised concerns over declining voter turnout, warning that the trend threatens both democratic integrity and the future of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
In separate statements to Kosofe Post, Amb. Moyosore Badejo (MOG), the 2025 Labour Party councillorship candidate for Ifako-Gbagada, and APC stakeholder Oloye Salami Oluwaseun backed an earlier warning by party chieftain Mr. Fouad Oki, describing it as a timely wake-up call for political leaders across parties.
“Oki’s warning is timely and should not be dismissed,” said Badejo. “Low voter turnout is a red flag—not just for the APC, but for democracy as a whole. With the shambolic electoral processes recently witnessed, more citizens are growing disillusioned. The message is loud and clear: people are losing faith.”
He called for urgent reforms, transparency, and meaningful grassroots engagement, warning that “2027 is not far off.”
Echoing this, Oloye Salami decried the culture of sycophancy in Nigerian politics, noting, “Truth is very scarce in our political environment today.”
He said Lagos has seen declining voter participation in successive elections, yet political leaders remain indifferent.
“The warning is exigent,” he said. “I hope our party listens to this pro bono political advice from Mr. Oki. The last local government election is nothing to celebrate—voter apathy was deeply troubling.”
Salami urged APC leaders to conduct sincere internal assessments and address grassroots grievances. He warned of “an imminent explosion in the party” if the disconnect between elected officials and the electorate persists.
“Our elected officials must justify the trust reposed in them through visible achievements,” he added. “Any leader rejoicing over the last LG election result does so at their own risk.”
The statements come amid growing criticism of Lagos’s electoral processes, with observers citing inefficiencies, low public enthusiasm, and internal party conflicts as key factors behind shrinking civic participation.