Nigeria, Feb. 21 -- A member of the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, Ene Obi, has called on residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to turn out in large numbers for the ongoing area council elections, warning that refusing to vote amounts to surrendering one's civic responsibility.

Speaking on Sunrise Daily on Channels Television on Saturday, Ms Obi said citizens must recognise the power of participation in shaping local governance.

She noted that declining to cast a ballot is, in itself, a decision that shapes the outcome of the election.

"If you say you are not going to participate in politics, you have already opted out because in your gap nobody can take your place in terms of citizens' responsibilities," she said. ...