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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
Legal practitioners and civil society leaders have warned that Nigeria’s democracy faces serious threats unless urgent reforms are made to address growing public distrust in the country’s electoral system and judiciary.
The warning was issued at the 2026 St. Thomas More Public Lecture, organised by the National Association of Catholic Lawyers, Abuja Chapter, themed, “Electoral Democracy in Nigeria and the 2026 Electoral Act.”
The association’s president, Dr. Obinna Ogbuagu, said lawyers could no longer remain silent in the face of challenges threatening justice and democratic governance, insisting the legal profession must continue to serve as the moral compass of society by defending integrity, social justice and the rule of law. He said public confidence in institutions, particularly the courts, had suffered setbacks and stressed the need to rebuild trust so the judiciary can remain the last hope of the common man.
Executive Director of YIAGA Africa, Samson Itodo, accused political actors of exploiting the judiciary to weaken electoral democracy, alleging that judicial discretion had at times been abused to undermine the electoral process. He claimed some individuals who did not participate in party primaries still emerged as lawmakers through legal processes.
“Politics has entered our courts,” Itodo said, warning that Nigerians must not stay silent while democratic institutions come under pressure. He also urged citizens not to lose faith in elections, arguing that low voter turnout makes manipulation easier. “The solution is not staying away from voting but to vote. An informed voter is a threat to riggers,” he said.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, said declining public confidence in elections was responsible for growing voter apathy, noting that many Nigerians had become cynical about electoral outcomes due to repeated concerns over credibility and transparency.
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She argued that electoral laws alone cannot guarantee democracy without integrity among institutions, political actors and citizens. “Electoral Acts can regulate elections, but only integrity can produce credible votes,” she said.
He traced Nigeria’s electoral reforms back to the return to democratic rule in 1999, noting that successive amendments to electoral laws were responses to weaknesses exposed by previous elections. She said the country’s democratic progress depends not only on stronger laws, but also on independent institutions, accountable leadership and citizens who defend democratic values.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Planning Committee of the National Association of Catholic Lawyers, P.D. Pius, charged lawyers to remain committed to justice, integrity and service to humanity.
He urged Catholic lawyers to examine their commitment to the profession and ensure their faith aligns with their duty as advocates of justice, stressing that lawyers must be light in places where justice is weighed and decisions are made, and must defend the voiceless with courage and sincerity.
Pius reminded members that the legal profession demands more than technical expertise, requiring public witness through ethical practice and commitment to the common good.
The lecture was held in honour of Thomas More, the patron saint of lawyers, remembered for placing conscience and integrity above political convenience.
