Sani, in a post on his X platform handle on Monday, described the move as the best way to address the problem of low voter turnout in the country.
Former federal lawmaker from Kaduna State, Senator Shehu Sani, has stated that heavy fines should be imposed on Nigerians who collect Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) but refuse to vote.
Sani, in a post on his X platform handle on Monday, described the move as the best way to address the problem of low voter turnout in the country.
“Heavy fine should be imposed for those who collected PVC but refused to vote. That is the best way to address the problem of low voter turnout,” he wrote.
The underwhelming participation of the electorate in the electoral process, as well as the prevailing voting trends over the past four decades, have been a source of concern for stakeholders within the political sphere and international observers alike.
Despite boasting a registry of 93.47 million eligible voters, a paltry 24.9 million individuals actually exercised their franchise in the 2023 elections. This translates to a voter turnout of 26.72 percent, representing the lowest level of electoral participation since Nigeria’s transition to democratic governance in 1999.
Furthermore, local government elections conducted by State Independent Electoral Commissions across various states have similarly been plagued by a dearth of voter enthusiasm.
This persistent disconnect between registered voters and actual participants in the electoral process raises profound questions about civic engagement, political apathy, and the efficacy of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
