Nigeria’s Politicians Know the Problem—And It’s Not the Voter

By Oluwole Crowther

Compulsory Voting Bill: A Misdirected Effort?

A proposed bill, jointly sponsored by Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, and Daniel Ago, a lawmaker representing Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency, seeks to make voting mandatory for all Nigerian citizens. While the initiative may seem like a push for greater civic participation, critics argue it fails to address the root issues plaguing Nigeria’s electoral system.

The Real Challenges in Nigeria’s Democracy

Rather than focusing on voter turnout, experts suggest Nigerian politicians should prioritize electoral reforms, transparency, and trust-building measures. Low voter participation often stems from disillusionment with governance, electoral malpractice, and lack of faith in the political process—issues that compulsory voting alone cannot resolve.

For more details, read the original article on BusinessDay.