By Fatima Idera

Rising economic challenges have continued to undermine political participation in Nigeria, with many citizens citing their financial struggles as a reason for disengagement.

In the recent Ondo State governorship election, held on Saturday, November 16, 2024, residents described how the harsh economic conditions swayed their focus from politics to survival.

The election recorded a low turnout, mirroring a worrying trend in the country’s political landscape.

Like the 2024 Edo State election, which saw less than 30 per cent voter participation, the Ondo poll struggled with apathetic voters, many of whom cited financial difficulties as a deterrent.

The Edo State governorship election saw a low turnout, with only 22.21 per cent of registered voters casting their ballots. Of the 2.63 million registered voters in the state, only 583,965 votes were cast.

Similarly, of the 2.053 million registered voters in Ondo state, only 508,963 votes were cast on the November 16 governorship election, indicating that only 24.8% of registered voters participated in the election.

Report from Dataphyte shows that the election recorded the lowest voter turnout since 1999.

Source: Dataphyte

The Hope spoke to some electorates in Ondo State, who did not participate in the November 16 gubernatorial election.

Oluwafemi Adeyeye, a 30-year-old phone engineer in Akure, said the decision not to participate in the polls was born out of economic frustration.

“To be honest, I’m more worried about how I’ll pay my bills than who is running for office,” Adeyeye said, visibly frustrated.

Despite having a voter’s card, he refrained from casting his vote. “Transportation costs to even come out and vote are too high, and honestly, our votes don’t count in this country anymore,” he lamented.

Similarly, Adeoluwa Bolatito, a 40-year-old entrepreneur and fashion stylist, described how her business struggles had left little room for political engagement.

“I am more concerned about the future and how much longer I can keep my business afloat,” she said.

Bolatito revealed that her immediate priorities were providing for her children and paying their school fees.

“When people are struggling to make ends meet, it’s natural for their attention to drift away from politics and toward household issues,” she added.