APC Leader Highlights Alarming 73% Voter Apathy in Aramoko Ahead of 2027 Elections

Engineer Atinuke Owolabi, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a member of the Presidential Campaign Council for Bola Tinubu, has raised significant concerns regarding the dismally low voter turnout in Aramoko-Ekiti during the 2023 presidential elections. According to Owolabi, a staggering 73% of registered voters in the community abstained from casting their votes, which poses serious implications for the democratic process.

This revelation was made during a voter education exercise and community engagement initiative held in Aramoko, aimed at fostering civic responsibility and supporting the re-election efforts of President Tinubu and Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele. The event, themed "My Vote, My Voice," sought to address the critical issue of voter apathy that has plagued the region.

Owolabi, who also serves on the North Central Development Commission representing the South-West, highlighted the importance of voter education, particularly in rural communities where misinformation about electoral procedures can lead to disengagement or invalid votes. She presented sobering statistics from the 2023 presidential election, revealing that out of 988,923 registered voters in Ekiti State, only 315,058 were accredited, resulting in 308,171 valid votes and 6,301 rejected ballots.

In a detailed analysis of the electoral participation in Aramoko, Owolabi noted that the combined registered voters in Aramoko I and Aramoko II stood at 17,426, but only 4,680 votes were cast during the presidential election. This stark contrast emphasizes the urgent need for initiatives that not only inform citizens about their voting rights but also encourage them to actively participate in the electoral process.

“Voter education is essential to strengthening democracy, particularly in rural communities,” Owolabi stated, underscoring that informed voters are pivotal to the integrity of elections.