The Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has expressed his disappointment over the low turnout of electorates in Saturday’s Local Government (LG) Elections in Lagos State.
Commenting on the conduct of the election, which he described as peaceful, Gbajabiamila, who voted at PU 014, Elizabeth Fowler Memorial High School, Adeniran Ogunsanya, Surulere, said he was impressed by the peaceful atmosphere but concerned about low voter turnout.
Naija News reports that the former Speaker of the House of Representatives emphasise the need to sensitise the people about the importance of grassroots government.
Gbajabiamila said: “So far, I’ve seen peace, I’ve seen quiet, I’ve seen free and fair elections.
“A little bit disappointed about the turnout, which is where we need to work on. There is general low turnout from what I’ve seen.
“Perhaps because people don’t understand fully the importance of local government elections, which is even more important than any other election. We need to sensitise our people. We need to educate them about the importance of grassroots government.”
Gbajabiamila Backs Opposition Coalition
The Presidential aide threw his weight behind the recent coalition of opposition figures in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing it as a positive step for democracy.
Speaking to journalists shortly after casting his vote during the Lagos local government elections in Surulere on Saturday, Gbajabiamila noted that while he is unsure of the coalition’s long-term impact, it would help prevent Nigeria from descending into a one-party state.
“It’s a welcome development with the coalition. It’s not the first time we’re seeing this,” he said.
“In every democracy, we must have some level of opposition, otherwise we’ll run into a one-party state. But I’m not sure where it would go.”
Naija News reports that the coalition, which includes opposition heavyweights such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has generated widespread reactions, with some political observers describing it as a potential game-changer for the 2027 general elections.
Others, however, remain sceptical of its ability to challenge the dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Recall that the opposition leaders recently unveiled the ADC as the platform they intend to use to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
One-Party State
Naija News recalls that the former National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, had earlier sparked controversy by suggesting that Nigeria becoming a one-party state would not be a cause for concern, if it happened through voluntary defection.
“Leaders worried about a one-party state have no need to fear. A one-party state is not by force; it is by negotiation,” Ganduje said.
“If other political parties see the effect of our good governance and choose to join us, there’s nothing wrong with that.”
He added: “Today, China is one of the strongest countries in the world and is a one-party system. We’re not saying we are working for a one-party system, but if this is the wish of Nigerians, we cannot quarrel with that. You know they say too many cooks spoil the soup; too many political parties spoil governance.”
However, President Tinubu had earlier dispelled any notion that his administration was working towards a one-party state.
Speaking during a joint session of the National Assembly on Democracy Day, Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to pluralism.
“Nigeria will not become a one-party state. A one-party state is not in the offing,” the President declared.
“But we will be doing political malpractice if we close the doors for those who want to join APC.”
The post ‘I Am A Bit Disappointed’ – Gbajabiamila Reacts To Voter Apathy In Lagos LG Elections appeared first on Naija News.