PRESS RELEASE
As the world commemorated the International Day of Democracy on Tuesday, 15 September, the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has warned that “Rising voter intimidation, inflammatory political rhetoric, electoral violence, abuse of public office, and the apparent failure of institutions to hold powerful political actors accountable are posing serious threats to the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.”
“With the 2027 General Elections approaching… The credibility of those elections will not be determined by election day alone. It will depend on the political environment, the conduct of political actors, the preparedness and independence of democratic institutions, and the safeguards put in place in the months leading to the elections,” the group said in a Press Release.
It noted that recent public opinion surveys and international governance assessments “present a sobering picture of the state of democracy and governance in Nigeria,” with Afrobarometer reporting that “77% of Nigerians are dissatisfied with the way democracy is working, while trust in critical democratic institutions remains exceptionally low, including only 23% trust in INEC (the Independent National Electoral Commission of Nigeria).”
However, the CSO group noted that “these figures do not indicate that Nigerians have abandoned democracy. On the contrary, 64% of Nigerians continue to say that democracy is preferable to any other form of government. The message is therefore clear: Nigeria does not face a crisis of citizens’ desire for democracy as much as a crisis of democratic delivery, institutional trust and accountability.”
“This democratic legitimacy gap is reinforced by international governance assessments. The V-Dem Institute classifies Nigeria as an Electoral Autocracy, reflecting serious concerns about the quality of political competition, institutional checks and democratic freedoms. “Similarly, the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance ranked Nigeria 33rd out of 54 African countries in its 2024 Index, down from 30th previously, pointing to a deterioration in the country’s overall governance trajectory,” the statement said.
“Taken together,” the group said, “these findings demonstrate a widening gap between citizens’ expectations of democracy and their experience of it. Nigerians continue to value democratic government, but many are increasingly dissatisfied with its performance, distrust institutions expected to protect their rights, and experience weaknesses in accountability, representation, electoral integrity and the rule of law.”
Continuing, the group affirmed that “Democracy is not sustained by elections alone. It is sustained by the rule of law, respect for fundamental rights, accountable institutions, political tolerance, and the freedom of citizens to make choices without fear or coercion.”
“Against this backdrop, the Situation Room is deeply concerned about the deterioration of the political environment in recent months. Political rhetoric has become increasingly hostile, while threats, intimidation and violence are being used to suppress opposition, constrain political participation and undermine citizens’ fundamental freedoms,” it noted.
The statement said the recent Governorship Election in the southern state of Osun, “…raised serious concerns regarding intimidation and violence, including reports of threats and coercion involving high-ranking political officeholders. When individuals entrusted with public authority become associated with conduct that undermines democratic participation, the consequences extend beyond individual incidents. They erode confidence in the political system itself.”
The Situation Room highlighted six critical threats requiring urgent action as:
- Institutional failure and a culture of impunity
- Voter intimidation and inflammatory political rhetoric
- Forced disenfranchisement and threats of displacement
- Weaponisation of public office
- Weaponisation of ethnicity and religion
- Political thuggery, obstruction and voter suppression
The statement suggested that “Institutions charged with protecting Nigeria’s democracy, including INEC, security agencies, prosecutorial authorities and the Judiciary, must demonstrate greater independence, urgency and effectiveness in responding to violations,” warning that “Where allegations of electoral offences, incitement, intimidation or violence involving politically influential individuals are met with delayed, superficial or inconclusive responses, a culture of impunity takes root.”
“A democracy cannot survive where the powerful are permitted to violate the rules with impunity while ordinary citizens bear the consequences. Credible allegations must be investigated impartially, transparently and expeditiously. Where wrongdoing is established, the law must be applied without fear or favour,” it added.
“The Situation Room is alarmed by threats directed at citizens because of their political choices, including threats of physical harm, loss of livelihood, displacement or other forms of reprisal,” the statement said, adding: “No citizen should have to choose between exercising a constitutional right and securing their personal safety, livelihood or place of residence. Political leaders have a heightened responsibility to promote tolerance, peaceful participation and respect for citizens’ choices.”
It condemned “reports of directives threatening citizens to vote (the ruling) APC or leave the community,” warning that “Such a conduct…represents a grave assault on citizens’ constitutional rights and freedoms.”
The statement also said that “Reports of threats to remove elected local government officials unless they deliver electoral victories for particular political interests are deeply disturbing,” noting that “Government appointments, removals, administrative powers and public resources must never be deployed to compel political loyalty or secure electoral advantage. Public office is a responsibility to serve citizens – not an instrument for political control.”
Furthermore, it warned that “The increasing use of ethnic and religious identity as instruments of political mobilisation poses a serious threat to national cohesion and democratic participation,” adding that “Elections must be contests of ideas, policies, competence and public accountability–not struggles for demographic dominance or exclusion. Political leaders, religious and traditional authorities, the media and other influential voices must promote peaceful coexistence, inclusion and respect for the equal citizenship of all Nigerians.”
The statement also said that “Reports of political thuggery, attacks on political opponents, obstruction of candidates and intimidation of citizens raise serious questions about the impartiality and effectiveness of security arrangements. No candidate should be prevented from campaigning, and no citizen should be intimidated or attacked because of political affiliation. Security agencies must protect all political actors and citizens equally, regardless of party, status or influence.”
The group issued “A National Call for Action,” saying that “Nigeria cannot afford to approach the 2027 General Elections as business as usual. The credibility of an election is built long before the first ballot is cast. It depends on whether citizens are free to participate, campaign, vote and express their political preferences without intimidation; whether institutions enforce the law impartially; and whether political actors accept that electoral victory must be earned through persuasion–not coercion. Nigeria needs elections that are not merely conducted, but elections whose processes and outcomes citizens can trust.”
Civil Society Situation Room called for the following urgent actions:
- Enforcement of electoral laws and prosecution of violations
- Guarantee of neutrality of public institutions
- Protection of fundamental rights and civic freedoms
- Holding of political parties and leaders accountable
- Strengthening of institutional accountability and electoral preparedness
The statement affirmed that the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room “will not be a bystander as Nigeria approaches the 2027 General Elections. Situation Room will intensify monitoring of the political and electoral environment and work with citizens, civil society organisations, democratic institutions, the media and other stakeholders to identify emerging threats and bring them to public attention.”
The group said, “Our monitoring and advocacy will focus particularly on:
- Electoral preparedness and institutional performance;
- Political party commitments and the conduct of political actors;
- Campaign financing and abuse of public resources;
- Electoral violence, intimidation and hate speech;
- Misinformation and disinformation;
- Citizen participation and protection of civic freedoms; and
- The independence, impartiality and accountability of institutions responsible for the electoral process.
“We will continue to provide citizens with credible information, promote public dialogue and demand accountability from those entrusted with public authority,” the statement added.
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room can be reached at situationroom@placng.org
