Emma Elekwa
Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) has reaffirmed its commitment to continued advocacy for democracy that delivers good governance.
It also pledged commitment to continued monitoring of government actions, provide independent analysis, support institutional reforms, and promote citizen participation and people-centred development.
In a statement by its Director, Dauda Garuba, to mark Nigeria’s Democracy Day, the group called on leaders and citizens alike to recommit to the ideals of accountable governance, justice, inclusion, and meaningful democratic participation.
According to the group, although Nigeria’s democratic journey has not been easy, it would remain convinced that the country could fulfil its democratic promise through informed participation, accountable leadership and resilient institutions.
The statement reads in part, “Nigeria’s return to civil rule in 1999 ushered in a new era of constitutional government. Twenty-seven years later, Democracy Day offers an opportunity not only to celebrate the progress made but also to reflect on the challenges confronting our hard-won democratic freedoms.
“Nigeria today faces a range of challenges that continue to test the foundations of its democracy. Insecurity remains one of the most immediate threats.
“On 19 May 2026, gunmen abducted 39 students and seven teachers from a secondary school and two primary schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Series of kidnappings
“This attack followed a series of kidnappings and armed raids across the country, from Boko Haram violence in the North-East to banditry and farmer-herder clashes in the North-West and North-Central regions.
“These incidents highlight the state’s continued struggle to protect citizens, with criminal groups exploiting security gaps to target travellers, students, schools, and rural communities.
“The persistence of insecurity has eroded public trust and encouraged the emergence of self-help security arrangements in many communities.
“The economy has also placed enormous pressure on citizens. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 3.89 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, lower than the 4.07 per cent recorded at the end of 2025.
“While agriculture and industry recorded marginal improvements, the services sector continued to dominate the economy, contributing 57.73 per
cent of GDP.
“Yet these macroeconomic indicators have not translated into meaningful relief for ordinary Nigerians.
“Inflation remains high, driven by exchange-rate depreciation, rising food prices, increased transportation costs, and the lingering effects of fuel subsidy removal.
“For many households, the cost of living continues to rise faster than income. Infrastructure failures have further compounded these challenges.
Electricity grid collapse
“On 23 January 2026, the national electricity grid collapsed, plunging major cities into darkness.
“There have been two other major grid collapses since then, thus compounding multiple failures recorded in 2025. The persistence of grid.
“Instability reflects decades of underinvestment, weak regulation, and poor governance in the power sector, leaving citizens and businesses without reliable electricity.
“Another threat to Nigeria’s democratic health is the increasingly uncompetitive nature of elections and the weakening of opposition politics.
“Political parties remain weak, poorly institutionalised, and often driven more by ethnic, regional, religious, and personal interests than by clear ideological positions or policy alternatives.
“This has weakened the ability of opposition parties to provide effective checks on the ruling party and to offer citizens meaningful electoral choices. Even when citizens vote, the final outcomes of elections are increasingly determined by the courts rather than by the ballot.
“This growing judicialisation of elections undermines confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), raises concerns about electoral credibility, and weakens citizens’ faith in the democratic process.
“The crisis confronting Nigerian democracy is not limited to the federal level. It is equally evident at the state and local government levels, where the capture of legislatures and judiciaries, the weakness of oversight institutions, and the dominance of executive power continue to be reproduced.
Local government autonomy
“Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling on financial autonomy, local governments remain largely ineffective and heavily controlled by state governments.
“In many states, local government elections have become little more than a façade, often producing predetermined outcomes that deny citizens genuine representation at the grassroots.
“At the heart of these challenges is a governance deficit, weak institutions, corruption, impunity, and the erosion of checks and balances.
“These have contributed to insecurity, economic hardship, unreliable infrastructure, and declining public trust.
“Democracy is not an end in itself; it must deliver accountability, development, justice, and security.
“Nigeria’s challenges can only be addressed through governance that is transparent, responsive, inclusive, and centred on the welfare of citizens.
“Despite these obstacles, Nigerians remain resilient. Across the country, communities continue to support one another in times of crisis, demand accountability from leaders, and insist on the promise of a better democratic future.
“This resilience provides hope that, through collective action, Nigeria can overcome its present difficulties and rebuild public confidence in democratic governance.
CDD’s plea
“CDD-West Africa therefore urges citizens not to despair but demonstrate the requisite resilience to withstand the challenges identified above. Democracy thrives when people participate.
It called on eligible Nigerians to register, collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and exercise their right to vote in future elections.
The organization stressed that PVC remained one of the most powerful tools available to citizens in today’s Nigeria.
“PVC must be used to demand better leadership, stronger institutions, and more accountable governance.
“Nigeria’s democracy cannot be left to courts, politicians, or political parties alone; it must be defended and strengthened through the active participation of its citizens.
“We also call on governments at all levels to address the security, economic, and governance challenges confronting the country.
“Comprehensive security reforms, sustained investment in critical infrastructure, economic policies that protect the most vulnerable, respect for the independence of the legislature and judiciary, and genuine local government autonomy are essential.
“Strengthening INEC, prosecuting electoral offenders, protecting the integrity of the vote, and improving electoral transparency will also be critical to restoring public confidence in democracy.”
