“Vote or Be Replaced”: Pastor Lake Abiodun Decries Low Turnout 

By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa

Pastor Abiodun characterized voting as an essential civic right during the FCT polls, citing the 2015 Buhari/Jonathan election as a reminder of why citizens must stay engaged. 

He warned that if people fail to show up, others will “definitely do it behind you,” suggesting that staying home invites others to manipulate the results in one’s absence.

The clergyman raised concerns about the transparency of voter data, noting a visible discrepancy between the few people at the polling unit and the high numbers usually published. He suggested that official figures often seem inflated when compared to the actual physical presence of voters, calling into question the accuracy of recorded turnout.

Abiodun described the day’s participation as very low compared to the energy seen in Presidential or Governorship elections. He attributed this lack of enthusiasm to the fact that some popular candidates were removed from the ballot following court nullifications, which left many supporters feeling discouraged and unrepresented.

Despite his concerns over turnout, he praised the technical advancements in the electoral process.

He highlighted that the accreditation was smooth and free of delays, expressing surprise at the efficiency of the modern system compared to previous years.

A standout feature for the Pastor was receiving a text message ahead of time that directed him to his specific polling unit. He noted that this proactive communication suggests Nigeria is moving toward a more advanced and organized voting system, even as it battles voter apathy.