Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has expressed concern over the low voter turnout recorded during the just-concluded local government elections in Lagos State.Gbajabiamila, who cast his vote at Polling Unit 014, Ward 8 in Surulere, described the electoral atmosphere as calm and well-organized but criticized the apparent voter apathy as a troubling sign for democratic participation at the grassroots level.
So far, it’s been peaceful and fair, but I’m a bit disappointed by the turnout,” he told journalists. “It seems many people don’t understand how crucial local elections are. We must do more to educate citizens about the power and relevance of local government.
Observers reported poor participation across multiple polling units in the state, despite the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) rolling out a public awareness campaign before the polls. Analysts say the turnout reflects a growing disconnection between citizens and subnational politics.
SUPPORT FOR OPPOSITION COALITION In a separate development, Gbajabiamila made headlines for welcoming the emergence of a new opposition coalition spearheaded by the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The coalition, which includes heavyweight figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, aims to mount a formidable challenge against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Gbajabiamila praised the coalition’s formation as a positive sign for Nigeria’s multiparty democracy, stating that opposition forces are necessary to hold the ruling party accountable and prevent democratic backsliding. In any democracy, strong opposition is essential. Without it, we risk becoming a one-party state,” he said. “This coalition could be meaningful, but only time will tell how far it goes.
CONTEXT: FEARS OF A ONE-PARTY State his remarks come in the wake of controversial comments by former APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, who recently argued that a de facto one-party system, created through mass defections, might not necessarily be harmful—citing China as an example of effective single-party governance.
Ganduje’s statement sparked a wave of criticism from opposition leaders and civil society groups who viewed it as a veiled justification for suppressing political diversity.
In contrast, President Bola Tinubu has clearly distanced his administration from such sentiments. During his Democracy Day address at the National Assembly, Tinubu reaffirmed his dedication to preserving Nigeria’s multiparty structure, saying: Nigeria will not become a one-party state.That is not our goal.
POLITICAL Analysis believe Gbajabiamila’s comments are a strategic attempt to balance loyalty to the ruling party with a broader defense of democratic norms—especially amid growing concerns about democratic erosion across Africa.Dr. Kemi Ojo, a political science lecturer at the University of Lagos, noted:
His endorsement of the opposition coalition is a subtle message that the APC is not afraid of competition—and that’s healthy. But it also puts pressure on the opposition to come up with a credible and united alternative.
As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 general elections, voter engagement and political alliances are already reshaping the political narrative. Whether the new coalition can sustain its momentum remains to be seen, but for now, Gbajabiamila’s stance has stirred conversations about the future of Nigeria’s democracy from the grassroots to the national level.
Source: FrontNaija News📍Location: Surulere, Lagos State✍️ Reported.
