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As Nigeria marks the 32nd anniversary of the historic June 12, 1993, election and 26 years of uninterrupted civilian rule, the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to fulfil the long-standing promises of democracy.
In a statement signed by CAPPA’s Media and Communication Officer, Robert Egbe, the organisation decried the rising hardship, insecurity, and poor governance that continue to plague Nigerians, despite decades of democratic transition.
“Despite holding regular elections since 1999 and achieving some incremental gains, Nigeria has failed to translate democratic processes into tangible progress for its people,” the statement noted. “Millions remain trapped in poverty, while public institutions mismanage resources and basic services lie in ruins.”
CAPPA pointed to increasing youth-led protests as a reflection of deep public frustration. “Social and economic poverty is now pervasive,” it said, lamenting that essential services such as water, shelter, education, healthcare, and electricity remain out of reach for many citizens. It also criticised ill-conceived privatisation policies for driving up the cost of living.
Quoting recent data, CAPPA’s Executive Director Akinbode Oluwafemi said, “In 2024, nearly 130 million Nigerians lived below the poverty line, with another 13 million projected to join them amid the current cost-of-living crisis. This is unacceptable in a country richly endowed with natural and human resources.”
The organisation also raised alarm over growing threats to Nigeria’s democratic institutions and civic freedoms. It accused anti-corruption agencies, the legislature, and the judiciary of operating under political pressure, with their independence eroded through questionable appointments and interference.
Particularly concerning, CAPPA noted, is the trend of state governments—including Lagos, Ogun, and the Federal Capital Territory—using court orders to limit free speech and confine protests to restricted locations. It described this development as a dangerous infringement on constitutional rights.
The group condemned the violent crackdown on activists, journalists, students, and unionists, insisting that peaceful civic engagement must be protected. It called for the dismissal of what it termed “trumped-up terrorism charges” against young Nigerians arrested during the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests.
“Democracy is not just about elections,” CAPPA stressed. “It is about the daily right to speak, to assemble, and to hold those in power accountable.”
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the organisation warned that Nigeria’s electoral integrity remains vulnerable to manipulation. It welcomed proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022 as necessary steps toward strengthening the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
CAPPA threw its weight behind calls to remove the President’s power to appoint electoral commissioners, advocating instead for a transparent, merit-based selection process. With the current INEC leadership set to conclude its term in November 2025, the group described the period as a critical window for meaningful reform.
“Failure to act now risks another election cycle undermined from the start,” it warned.
CAPPA urged the National Assembly to complete its electoral reform agenda in 2025 to avoid rushed decisions close to the 2027 elections. It also called for institutionalised transparency, voter access for Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora, and the resolution of ambiguities in result transmission processes.
“Ensuring real-time electronic transmission of results will boost public confidence in our electoral system,” the statement concluded.
