NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY NOSEDIVING, REPS GROUP WARNS

A bipartisan group of members of the House of Representatives under the Save Democracy Group has warned that Nigeria’s democracy is deteriorating, citing alleged constitutional violations, poor budget implementation, worsening insecurity and economic hardship.

The lawmakers called on the leadership of the National Assembly to immediately reconvene both chambers from recess for an emergency session to address what they described as mounting threats to constitutional governance and public accountability.

The group alleged that constitutional procedures have been undermined in recent months, including the approval of the Rivers State emergency rule and the reported passage of the Executive State Police Constitutional Alteration Bill, claiming voting procedures did not comply with constitutional requirements.

They argued that while state police may be a necessary reform, any constitutional amendment establishing it must strictly follow due legal process.

The lawmakers also criticised the Federal Government over persistent under-implementation of the 2024, 2025 and 2026 budgets, describing repeated delays, budget rollovers and poor capital releases as a breakdown of fiscal governance.

They demanded comprehensive budget implementation reports, full disclosure of capital releases to Ministries, Departments and Agencies, a reconciliation of government revenues and expenditure, and a forensic audit of alleged off-budget spending.

The group further raised concerns over what it described as inadequate funding for security agencies despite worsening insecurity, questioning why the Presidential Air Fleet reportedly received more consistent funding than military equipment and logistics.

They called for the immediate release of appropriated funds to the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, intelligence agencies and other security institutions to strengthen the fight against insecurity.

The lawmakers also commended the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and the Supreme Council for Shari’ah for speaking out on governance, insecurity and democratic concerns, insisting that constructive criticism is essential for a healthy democracy.

They stressed that the National Assembly must uphold its constitutional responsibility of representing the people, exercising oversight and holding the executive accountable, warning that Nigeria’s democracy must be protected before it is too late.