Nigeria Risks Democratic Decline Without Sustained Civic Engagement, Leaders Warn

Nigeria risks deeper democratic decline if citizens limit their engagement to protests and online activism, civil society leaders and human rights advocates warned Wednesday. They urged for sustained participation in governance and accountability, arguing that democratic involvement must extend beyond election cycles to encompass policy advocacy, legislative engagement, civic education, and long-term community organizing.

The call came during a joint intergenerational civil society meeting on democratic resilience, civic participation, and strategic coordination ahead of the 2027 general elections. Organized by Hope Behind Bars Africa and Accountability Lab Nigeria in Abuja, the meeting featured discussions on constitutional participation and democratic accountability.

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Democratic governance is not merely about periodic elections. It is about the continuous engagement of citizens in public affairs, policy formulation, decision-making processes and accountability mechanisms.

Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), represented by Halilu Adamu, Director of Civil and Political Rights, stressed that the Nigerian Constitution places citizens at the center of governance and guarantees their participation in public affairs. "Democratic governance is not merely about periodic elections. It is about the continuous engagement of citizens in public affairs, policy formulation, decision-making processes and accountability mechanisms," Adamu stated, quoting Ojukwu. He added that the Constitution does not envision a citizen who appears only on election day, citing Sections 14(2)(a) and 14(2)(c) which affirm that sovereignty belongs to the people and require citizen participation.

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Civic freedoms are not privileges granted at the discretion of the State. They are constitutional guarantees essential to democratic participation.

Adamu defended civic freedoms as constitutional rights essential to democracy, asserting they are not privileges but guarantees. He declared that Nigeria's democratic future depends not only on institutions but also on empowering citizens to engage and shape decisions affecting their lives. Ojukwu also linked democratic participation to transparency and access to information, stating, "Citizens cannot meaningfully participate in governance without access to information." He urged citizens to remain engaged before, during, and after elections through dialogue, voter education, peaceful participation, and public accountability.

During the panel discussion, other leaders, including Solape Sounga of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative, Dayo Aiyetan of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, Elizabeth Agbiti-Douglas of NYFF, and Grace Jerry of Inclusive Friends, agreed that Nigeria's civic space faces growing pressure ahead of the 2027 elections. They cited distrust in public officials, voter apathy, insecurity, fears of electoral manipulation, and concerns over the independence of electoral bodies as key challenges.

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Citizens cannot meaningfully participate in governance without access to information.