Agbakoba Rejects Mandatory Voting Bill, Says ‘I Would Rather Go to Prison’
Prominent legal luminary and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has come out strongly against a proposed bill seeking to make voting compulsory in Nigeria.
In a bold statement during an interview on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television anchored by Seun Okinbaloye, Agbakoba declared, “I would rather go to prison than obey a law making voting compulsory.”
The bill, currently before the National Assembly, proposes penalties for Nigerians who fail to vote in elections, including possible fines or other legal consequences. While proponents argue that it would address Nigeria’s consistently low voter turnout, critics say it infringes on democratic freedoms.
Agbakoba, known for his advocacy on constitutional law and civil liberties, insisted that voting is a right not an obligation and cannot be coerced by legislation.
“Compelling people to vote is undemocratic. You don’t strengthen democracy by taking away freedom. If I choose not to vote, that’s also an expression of my political view,” he stated during the televised interview.
His comments have sparked wide debate across social and political circles. Civil society groups such as Yiaga Africa have also condemned the bill, calling it “draconian” and unconstitutional.
The group argues that the government should instead focus on restoring public confidence in the electoral process, tackling voter suppression, and improving the transparency of elections.
Agbakoba further emphasized that efforts to improve civic engagement should be directed at addressing root causes of voter apathy such as poor governance, election rigging, and the lack of credible candidates rather than punishing citizens.
“A government that cannot guarantee free and fair elections should not be compelling participation. It’s a contradiction,” he added.
The controversial bill has not yet passed, but the growing resistance from legal experts, activists, and segments of the public may prompt legislators to revisit its contents or abandon it entirely.
As the debate continues, Agbakoba’s firm stance serves as a reminder that the essence of democracy lies not just in participation, but in the freedom to choose whether to participate at all.
