Prominent Nigerian human rights lawyer Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) has declared that he would prefer imprisonment over complying with a proposed law mandating compulsory voting.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on Monday, the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association firmly criticized the bill, which seeks to make voting a legal obligation for all eligible citizens.
“Look at the ridiculous one in the National Assembly about voting being compulsory. If that bill were to pass, I would say, ‘Agbakoba, we will not obey it.’ I’ll plead conscientious objection. I’d rather go to prison for six months than to obey it,” he said.
He expressed disbelief over why the National Assembly would want to enforce voting by law rather than investigate why Nigerians are not turning out to vote. According to him, it is more important to address the causes of voter apathy rather than penalize people for not participating.
“Why would the National Assembly want to impose compulsory voting? Why don’t they reverse the question and say, Why are Nigerians not interested? What is the apathy about?” Agbakoba questioned.
He further noted that the root of the problem lies in political exclusion and the disconnection between citizens and their leaders. Years of broken promises and lack of visible development, he said, have made many Nigerians lose faith in elections.
Agbakoba believes that democracy cannot grow if it only works for a few elite politicians while ignoring the majority. Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, he warned that without inclusive reforms, Nigeria’s democratic system may continue to struggle.
When asked about whether the core issue is poor leadership or the appeal of political offices, he again pointed to Nigeria’s political failures as the main reason behind the low number of voters.
The controversial bill, which recently passed second reading in the House of Representatives, aims to make voting a legal duty for all adults. It is being sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Daniel Asama Ago, a Labour Party member.
