From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
As Nigeria marks Democracy Day and 26 years of continuous democratic governance on June 12, 2025, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has issued a stark warning about the country’s democratic trajectory.
The organisation decried what it described as a “frightening collapse” of responsible, transparent, and accountable governance under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, signalling a dangerous backslide in Nigeria’s democratic progress.
Executive Director of CISLAC Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, in a statement, painted a grim picture of the current state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. “Right now, the nation’s democratic institutions are at their weakest points and consistently failing the people, while authoritarian tendencies continue to rise,” he said.
According to Rafsanjani, the erosion of public trust, rampant corruption, impunity, compromised electoral processes, and shrinking civic space are clear indicators of a deliberate undermining of democratic values.
He urged political leaders to “retrace their steps to safeguard the democratic rule that was fiercely fought for,” warning that instead of building on past gains, Nigeria is regressing into “a governance model defined by unaccountable leadership, weak institutions, killings, and absolute exclusion of citizens from decision-making.”
CISLAC also expressed deep concern with the electoral system, which it says has lost credibility among Nigerians. “Elections have become mere exercises in futility for many citizens, marked by violence, voter suppression, vote buying, and judicial interference in electoral outcomes,” Rafsanjani explained.
He described the current political landscape as one dominated by “political banditry aimed solely at state capture for personal gains.” Highlighting widespread voter apathy and distrust, he added, “Political parties lack ideology and discipline, functioning merely as platforms for elite bargains and transactional personal gains.”
The centre called for urgent electoral and political party reforms to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic processes.
Beyond elections, CISLAC voiced alarm over unchecked corruption at the state level, despite federal anti-corruption efforts. “Many state governors operate without transparency, supported by compromised state assemblies and an almost total lack of oversight,” Rafsanjani said. He advocated for decentralising anti-corruption efforts and empowering state-level institutions to act independently.
The judiciary, a crucial pillar of democracy, is also under strain. Rafsanjani noted that delays in access to justice, conflicting court judgments, and political interference are undermining the rule of law. “A functional democracy depends on an impartial and independent judiciary. But what we see today in Nigeria is a system under pressure from political actors, lacking financial autonomy, and rapidly losing public confidence,” he warned, calling for comprehensive judicial reforms to ensure timely and impartial justice.
Security remains a critical concern as well. CISLAC lamented that despite repeated government promises, insecurity persists unabated.
“Citizens are not safe, and the government has yet to present a coherent national security strategy that addresses both symptoms and root causes,” the group stated. It urged the federal government to adopt a people-centred security approach prioritising civilian protection and addressing long-standing causes of conflict.
Economic mismanagement compounds the crisis
CISLAC expressed alarm over worsening poverty and hardship, despite government claims of saving trillions of naira from the removal of fuel subsidies. “The so-called fuel subsidy savings have not translated into tangible relief for ordinary Nigerians,” Rafsanjani said. “Instead, more people have been plunged into poverty, unemployment remains high, and there is no clear strategy for economic recovery or social protection.” The lack of transparency in managing these funds, he argued, is deepening the trust deficit between the government and citizens.
The shrinking civic space is another troubling trend highlighted by CISLAC. The group condemned the ongoing clampdown on peaceful protesters, journalists, activists, and civil society organisations. “The arrest and harassment of young Nigerians calling for good governance, and the intimidation of NGOs like Amnesty International, show a disturbing intolerance for accountability,” Rafsanjani said. “This shrinking civic space is incompatible with any credible democratic system.”
As Nigeria commemorates Democracy Day, CISLAC says its message is clear: democracy requires more than just elections. It demands good governance, strong institutions, protection of rights, and active civic participation. “We call on the Nigerian government to end the ongoing repression, embrace people-oriented reforms, and restore the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic system,” Rafsanjani concluded.