By Victor Itodo Abuh & Amos Aar
STAKEHOLDERS have expressed deep concerns over the weakening of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, calling for urgent reforms to address growing threats to governance and political integrity.
This is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a two-day national conference on strengthening democracy in Nigeria organised by African Center for Leadership Strategy and Development (CenterLSD), Center for Democracy and Development (CDD), Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA) and National Peace Committee held at Abuja Continental Hotel from January 27– 28, 2025.
The conference, themed “Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria: Pathways to Good Governance and Political Integrity,” brought together members of the executive, legislature, judiciary, civil society organisations (CSOs), the media, academics and other key stakeholders, who highlighted several challenges threatening Nigeria’s democratic process, including electoral malpractice, the weakening of state institutions, vote-buying and the increasing role of the judiciary in determining electoral outcomes rather than the ballot box.
According to the communiqué, participants expressed concerns about the rising trend of state and elite capture, which could push the country towards a one-party system, noting particularly that between 2020 and 2023, Africa witnessed eight coups, while some leaders attempted to extend their tenure through constitutional amendments.
Making specific reference to a worrying trend, the communiqué recalled a 2023 Open Society Barometer which revealed that 30% of young Nigerians viewed military rule as a viable option, reflecting a growing disillusionment with democracy.
While discussions also centered on the challenges within Nigeria’s political party system, including the lack of internal democracy, the dominance of political godfathers and the decline of opposition voices, participants stressed that many politicians seek power for personal gain rather than national development, weakening governance structures and public trust in the system.
Paricipants equally identified several steps to strengthen democracy in Nigeria, namely urging the executive arm to prioritise policies that reduce social inequalities and poverty, revisiting the Uwais Report on electoral reforms and ensuring the independence of the State Electoral Commissions.
The forum also called for police reforms and the consideration of state policing to address growing security challenges just as participants also suggested that the Nigerian Correctional Service be placed under the Ministry of Justice for better management.
The legislature was encouraged to improve its oversight functions and prioritise electoral reforms, including a review of the winner-takes-all system and the inclusion of diaspora voting. Participants also stressed the need for stricter scrutiny of INEC appointments to prevent the ruling party from planting loyalists in key positions.
The judiciary was urged to pursue reforms that guarantee its autonomy, improve judges’ welfare, and promote public-interest-driven legal practices to ease the decongestion of correctional facilities.
The civil society and media were tasked with sensitizing citizens about their rights and the value of their votes while advocating for an end to the misuse of state resources to fund ruling parties. They were also called upon to support the legislature in preventing individuals with questionable character from assuming sensitive electoral positions.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was advised to decentralize election management for greater efficiency, ensure ward-level collation of results, integrate more technology to enhance transparency and uphold its regulatory role in strengthening internal democracy within political parties.
There were also calls for the registration of new political parties to foster greater political participation.
Security agencies were urged to maintain professionalism, prosecute electoral offenders, and remain neutral in electoral matters to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process.
Political parties were reminded that they should not function solely as vehicles for elections but remain actively engaged in governance and national development. Participants emphasized the need for political parties to embrace internal democracy, adopt competitive primaries, and explore innovative fundraising strategies to reduce reliance on state resources.
The conference concluded with a call for all stakeholders to fulfill their responsibilities in strengthening democracy in Nigeria. It emphasized that democracy should not be a mere formality but a system rooted in transparency, accountability, and the active participation of citizens.
Participants commended the efforts of the organizing partners and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing democratic governance in Nigeria. However, they warned that without immediate reforms, the country risks further erosion of public trust and a decline in democratic integrity.
