Mrs Sarah Jibrin, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Ethics and Values, on Saturday decried low turnout of? voters during the FCT area councils’ elections.
Jibrin stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja while monitoring elections in Area 8 polling units.
She stressed the need for active participation of all Nigerians in the electoral process, noting that “Nigerians should not give up, as things will get better with time''.
“There is low turnout of voters, but it is still midday, since the closing time is 4 p.m. But it is obvious that some Nigerians are not willing to give up.
“Those that endeavour to come out and cast their votes, believe that the system will get better in the course of time,’’ Jibrin said.
She called on all Nigerians, especially the youth, who are the most important segment of every nation to make useful contributions for the development of democracy
Jibrin attributed voters’ apathy in the FCT area councils to the security situation in the country.
She expressed the commitment of her office to embark on massive awareness campaign to educate Nigerians on the need to imbibe good values.
“I will continue to encourage youths to take active part in politics because youths are future stakeholders and agents of national security,'' she said.
Meanwhile, the PDP Chairmanship Candidate of Kuje Area Council, Mr Ishaku Shaban, said that the large turnout of voters during the FCT councils’ polls was as a result of adequate sensitisation of electorate.
Shaban made this known on Saturday in Yenche ward polling station, Kuje, while briefing newsmen on the turnout of people for the election.
According to him, although, the previously conducted elections are free and fair, but there is voter apathy.
He observed that there was rumour that PDP had planned to rig the polls, adding that the rumour was not true.
Shaban said, “we employed one-on-one approach in creating relevant awareness for people to participate in the election and vote for PDP in our community.
“It is my hope that people will turn out in their large numbers to vote in future elections to reduce voter apathy in the country.
He also commended INEC for early preparations for the FCT elections, adding that the INEC efforts contributed to the large turnout of voters in the elections. (NAN)