Nigerians Still Waiting For Democracy To Improve Their Lives – Cappa
The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration to fulfill the longstanding promises of democracy by addressing the deep-rooted issues affecting the Nigerian populace.
In a statement released on Wednesday by Robert Egbe, Media and Communication Officer at CAPPA, the organization marked the 32nd anniversary of the June 12, 1993 elections and 26 years of continuous civilian governance in Nigeria. Despite these milestones, CAPPA noted that many Nigerians continue to grapple with poverty and hardship.
“Democracy must go beyond holding elections every four years. It should translate into real, positive transformation in people’s lives, uphold human rights, and inspire hope,” the group emphasized.
According to CAPPA, millions still lack access to essential services such as clean water, decent housing, quality healthcare, education, and stable electricity. The organization criticized the government's privatization policies, arguing that they have made these services unaffordable for the average citizen.
“In 2024, nearly 130 million Nigerians were living in poverty, with projections showing that another 13 million could soon join them. This situation is unacceptable in a country blessed with vast natural and human resources,” the statement said.
The organization also expressed concern over the political interference undermining the independence of key institutions such as the judiciary, legislature, and anti-corruption bodies. It condemned moves by certain state governments to restrict peaceful protests and stifle free speech through court injunctions.
“Democracy guarantees freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly. No one should face persecution for speaking up,” CAPPA stated.
The group also demanded that the federal government drop what it described as “fabricated terrorism charges” against young Nigerians who participated in the #EndBadGovernance protests of August 2024.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, CAPPA stressed the urgent need to overhaul Nigeria’s electoral system. It called on the National Assembly to complete constitutional and electoral reforms by 2025 to prevent disruptive, last-minute changes.
Among the key recommendations was the removal of presidential authority in appointing electoral commissioners, to strengthen the independence and credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). CAPPA noted that the expiration of the current INEC chairman’s term in November 2025 presents an opportunity to ensure a transparent and merit-based selection process.
“If the government fails to act now, the 2027 elections may once again be marred by credibility issues from the outset,” the group cautioned.
Furthermore, CAPPA advocated for inclusive voting rights, particularly for Nigerians in the diaspora, and called for clarity in the procedures for electronic result transmission to enhance election transparency.
“President Tinubu and the National Assembly must create conditions that enable all eligible Nigerians—both at home and abroad—to vote freely, without logistical or systemic obstacles. Ambiguities in the current electoral law concerning result transmission must be addressed, and real-time electronic transmission should be adopted to bolster public confidence in the process,” the statement concluded.