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| Agbakoba Vows Prison Over Nigeria Voting Bill |
Human rights lawyer Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, slammed a proposed law to force all Nigerian voters to cast ballots. He said he’d rather face six months in jail than obey such a rule. His words raise big questions about rights, turnout and trust in Nigeria’s vote.
Olisa Agbakoba made his comments on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He called the plan “ridiculous” and vowed to refuse it. He said he’d plead conscientious objection and accept prison time over a forced ballot.
The bill passed a second reading in the House of Representatives on May 19, 2025. It would amend the Electoral Act to make voting mandatory for all eligible Nigerians in national and state elections. Sponsors include House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Labour Party member Daniel Asama Ago.
They say the goal is to curb voter apathy and vote buying. Supporters point to Australia’s system, where turnout runs above 90 percent under a fine-based mandate. Opposition says forcing ballots won’t fix deeper flaws.
Nigeria’s turnout fell to 26.71 percent in the 2023 vote. Only 24.9 million of 93.5 million registered voters cast ballots. This marked the lowest rate since 1999. Experts say fear, fraud and broken promises drove many away.
Why Voters Stay Away Studies show many Nigerians skip polls over safety fears. Threats of violence and reported irregularities deter them. Others feel their vote carries no weight. Long lines and lost cards add to the burden.
A 2021 survey by Chatham House found trust in the process dropped below 40 percent. People blamed weak law enforcement and patchy ballot security. Over a third said they doubted results would reflect their choice.
Global Models of Mandate Voting Twenty-one countries require ballots by law. Australia fines non-voters about A$100. It enforces the rule through local polling officers. Turnout there averaged 90.47 percent in 2022.
Belgium and Brazil also fine or ban non-voters from jobs or offices. In Belgium, turnout holds near 90 percent. But critics say fines strain the poor and hurt turnout in remote areas. Enforcement costs may exceed gains.
Arguments for Compulsion Proponents say forced ballots boost civic duty. They argue higher turnout makes elected leaders more accountable. Some academics claim more diversity in voters cuts bias toward rich groups.
Australia’s political scientist Lisa Hill says turnout would collapse to 60 percent if its mandate ended. She warns that poor and rural voices fade in voluntary systems.
Arguments Against Coercion Rights groups warn forcing votes breaches freedom. They say states should win trust, not jail dissent. They note that forced ballots can spur blank or spoiled votes, which still count as compliance.
Experts also stress Nigeria’s deeper issues. They point to broken campaign promises, weak social services and poor leadership. They say fixing those would lure voters more than fines.
What Comes Next The bill now goes to committee for review. Lawmakers will hear experts and civic groups. They face a hard choice: force ballots or win hearts.
Agbakoba said the focus must shift to real fixes. He urged leaders to renew trust by delivering on health, education and security. He said that would lift turnout more than any law. He called for inclusive reform and genuine citizen power.
Expert View Political analyst Idayat Hassan said Nigeria must heal voter fear. She urged clear rules, fair polls and strong penalties for misconduct. She said that approach could boost turnout above 50 percent by 2027.
Nobel laureate economist Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala added that sound policies on jobs and welfare drive turnout. She said people will vote if they feel gain and hope. Building trust, she said, must be the top aim.
Balanced Outlook Compulsory voting may cut apathy and curb bribery. But risks remain. Forcing ballots without fixing flaws could deepen distrust. Nigeria’s leaders must weigh rights against results. They must ensure laws match real needs.