Senator Shehu Sani has urged the Federal government to impose a heavy fine on Nigerians with Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) who do not participate in elections.

On Sunday, September 15, 2024, Shehu Sani took to his X page to write, “A heavy fine should be imposed on those who collected PVCs but refused to vote. That is the best way to address the problem of low voter turnout.''

However, Nigerians have disagreed with the Senator’s advice to the government. Many believe that citizens reluctance to vote during elections leading to the low turnout is due to a lack of confidence in the electoral process.

Nigerians are calling for a complete overhaul of the Independent National Electoral Commission and the judiciary.

Others argue that citizens are simply avoiding becoming victims of politician’s greed and violence during elections.

Here are some of the reactions to Shehu Sani’s post.

@BolanleA4: Low turnout suggests the absence of confidence in the election process. You can not treat the symptoms while ignoring the actual disease. Fix INEC and the Judiciary, then turnout will improve. But, you already know this and would rather target the voters.

@afrisagacity: This may be sarcasm, but intents are hidden there in…

As always, the solution “political elite” have for Nigeria’s problem is “blame the masses” or “blame past government,” or just “find something to blame,” but themselves.

Low voters turnout shouldn’t be attributed to protracted feeling of disenchantment by the people, due to blatant rigging by politicians.

Low voters turnout shouldn’t be blamed on politicians who hire thugs to harass and intimidate voters, cause chaos and instill fear in others from coming out.

Low voters turnout shouldn’t be blamed on politicians who use state might, send military and other security officers to election areas to create anxiety and fear.

Low voters turnout wouldn’t be blamed on INEC - a mere tool the elite use to “grab power” - when they intentionally frustrate voters by hoarding the voters card and creating mental fatigue.

No, we should all blame it on the helpless Nigerian who just wants good leadership from the political class!

@vian337: Those of us who voted, what happened to the vote?? Except there’s a reform in Inec, my PVC will remain in my box till eternity

@PureStanley1: People should be fined for refusing to vote? Are u insàne? Was the 2023 general election a joke to you? Nigerians went to the polling units in their numbers to vote, they were maímed, kiIIed, some disfigured permanently, and to make matters worse, their votes were not counted, the election was rigged... 2023 was the beginning of the end, in the hearts of every Nigerian that voted and those that watched the turnout of the election by the end of the day. Many people have lost hope in voting! What's the need of an average Nigerian queuing under the hot sun or rain to vote, and at the end of the day, their votes won't be counted?

With that being said, you should be fined, Mr Sani, or be out behind bars!
You have advice for everybody but yourself.

U went to the National Assembly and ended up sharing radio as a constituency project.

Other Senators were attracting federal universities to their constituencies, but you, Shehu Sani, were busy commissioning boreholes in your constituency.

@joeerazer: Sir, what about politicians that promised and failed?

We should be talking about the root cause of the problem.

Good People no longer trust who wants to represent them. Also, they dont trust the system will protect them when they choose to come out in peace to cast their vote without intimidation.

Many Good People will rather stay back and become victims of "Had I Know" or watch who they voted for "Not Keeping to Promise".

The standard set by public office holders need to be high in order to get voters out.

Finally, I urge everyone with a voter card to go out and cast your vote, just like our honourable said. It is your right to vote. Thank you.

@Adaete1: In places where thugs don't allow people vote nkor?
When INEC arrives in the evening, nko?
What if people don't collect pvc at all? (Or they should fine people who also don't collect PVC's)? Lmao

@BountyDwags: And what kind of judgement would you suggest for the corrupt politicians that have destroyed the country?

Heavy fine should be imposed for those who collected PVC but refused to vote.That is the best way to address the problem of low voter turnout.

— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) September 15, 2024