Engineer Atinuke Owolabi, a senior chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and member of the President Bola Tinubu 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, warned that roughly 73 % of registered voters in Aramoko‑Ekiti failed to cast a ballot in the 2023 presidential election, stressing the need for intensified voter education in the rural community.
What were the election figures?
OwOlabi presented official data showing that Ekiti State recorded 988,923 registered voters in 2023, of which 315,058 were accredited at polling stations. Valid votes totaled 308,171 while 6,301 ballots were rejected. At the ward level, Aramoko I and Aramoko II together had 17,426 registered voters but only 4,680 votes were cast, leaving 12,746 non‑participants – a non‑turnout rate of about 73 %.
Why is low participation a problem?
OwOlabi argued that voter education is essential for a healthy democracy, especially in rural areas where limited knowledge of electoral procedures can discourage turnout or result in invalid votes. She noted that inadequate information, rather than lack of interest, often drives voters away from the polls.
What actions were taken to improve voter knowledge?
During an APC voter‑education exercise held over the weekend in Aramoko, Ekiti Central Senatorial District, the programme—titled “My Vote, My Voice”—unveiled a voter‑education handbook. The guide explains how to identify polling units, use Permanent Voter Cards correctly, and avoid common mistakes that lead to ballot rejection. Owolabi said, “I believe voter education is key. If we cannot completely eliminate rejected votes, we should at least be able to reduce them in Ekiti State, particularly in Aramoko, my community.”
What did community leaders say?
Princess Owolabi Adeyemi, the Regent of Aramoko‑Ekiti, praised the efforts of President Tinubu and Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele in grassroots development but appealed to the Federal Government to repair the deplorable road conditions that hinder residents and commuters.
What is the way forward?
OwOlabi urged residents to use the 2023 election statistics as a benchmark for future participation, emphasizing that the community’s voting strength must translate into meaningful democratic engagement. She called on citizens to familiarize themselves with the handbook and to ensure they vote correctly at the next election.
The APC‑led voter‑education drive aims to reduce the number of rejected ballots and boost turnout in upcoming polls, reinforcing democratic participation across Ekiti and the wider South‑West region.