A COALITION of prominent Nigerians has issued a blistering assessment of the country’s condition, warning that Nigeria is edging dangerously toward a national crisis driven by worsening insecurity, electoral manipulation, and the systematic erosion of democratic institutions.
In a strongly-worded statement released in Abuja on Monday, and made available to National Record, the group, which includes former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega; Chief of Staff to former President Buhari, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; constitutional lawyer Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud (SAN); and several other respected public figures, declared that the nation now stands “at a dangerous crossroads” where multiple threats are converging with potentially devastating consequences.
The signatories said their intervention was prompted by deep concern over what they described as mounting dangers to the Nigerian state and the urgent need to alert citizens to the gravity of the situation.
“Our assessment of the state of the Nation reveals that Nigeria stands at a dangerous crossroads where rising insecurity, an alarming level of electoral manipulation by government, and the weakening of democratic institutions are converging into a national crisis that threatens the country’s survival,” the statement said.
The group painted a grim picture of a democracy under strain, arguing that the constitutional principle of separation of powers is facing unprecedented assault.
According to the statement, “Nigeria faces a grave threat to its foundational constitutional principle of the separation of powers. Checks and balances between the branches of government have been imperilled.”
In one of the most stinging passages of the document, the concerned Nigerians accused the executive arm of government of dominating other institutions of state, warning that the legislature and judiciary have become shadows of what democracy demands.
“The legislative branch has been placed under near total control of the executive branch. The judiciary appears to have lost both its independence and its integrity. There are no checks on the powers of the executive who now govern as they please without accountability or respect for the people’s concerns.”
The group further alleged that critical state institutions have been weakened and subordinated to executive interests, creating a dangerous atmosphere of impunity and public alienation.
“Institutions have been compromised, weakened, and subordinated to the interests of the executive arm of government,” the statement declared, adding that this “erosion of institutional independence has fuelled public distrust to its highest level in our history creating a crisis of political exclusion and impunity that is pushing violent extremism, organized crime, and communal conflict to a tipping point.”
The signatories warned that unless urgent corrective measures are taken, Nigeria risks sliding deeper into instability.
To avert such an outcome, they called for a return to democratic accountability, judicial independence, and robust institutional reforms capable of restoring public confidence.
“To reverse this trajectory, Nigeria must urgently recommit to democratic accountability, judicial independence, and institutional reforms that strengthen the rule of law. The electoral processes must be transparent, credible, and insulated from executive interference.”
Beyond domestic governance concerns, the group linked Nigeria’s troubles to the broader security crisis unfolding across the Sahel region, arguing that the spread of terrorism, arms trafficking, military takeovers and weak border controls in neighbouring countries continue to aggravate insecurity within Nigeria.
“The crisis in Nigeria cannot be separated from the broader instability engulfing the Sahel region,” the statement noted, warning that developments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are increasingly undermining security throughout West Africa.
The coalition argued that the collapse of democratic governance in parts of the Sahel has emboldened armed groups, weakened state authority and diminished civilian protection across the region.
To address these challenges, the group urged the Federal Government to pursue renewed engagement between the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and ECOWAS, insisting that regional cooperation remains vital to Nigeria’s national interest.
Among its recommendations, the coalition called for the immediate appointment of a Special Envoy for the Sahel to rebuild trust between Nigeria, ECOWAS and the AES while revitalising regional peace and security mechanisms.
The statement also issued a rallying call to civil society organisations, professional associations, the private sector, traditional rulers and religious leaders to actively defend democratic values and resist what it described as a shrinking civic space.
“Nigerians must be bold and courageous in protecting civic rights and resisting the current climate of restricting civic space,” the group stated.
In another forceful intervention, the signatories urged professional bodies to mobilise against what they termed tyranny and to defend constitutional governance.
“Professional bodies and associations must rise to the challenge of building a broad national consensus to oppose tyranny and ensure maintenance of checks and balances in governance and the protection of the rule of law.”
The statement also raised serious concerns about the credibility of future elections, expressing doubts about the neutrality and competence of INEC.
“Given the clear and consistent indications of the lack of neutrality and competence of INEC, professional bodies such as the Nigerian Bar Association, Unions, and other civic groups must set up mechanism of engaging the electoral body to ensure that the 2027 elections are free, fair and credible.”
The judiciary was equally challenged to confront growing public suspicion regarding its role in electoral and democratic disputes.
“The Judiciary must address the perception of its complicity to stall democratic processes. It must remain independent and uphold the rule of law,” the statement said.
The coalition further called on the Nigerian Bar Association and the National Judicial Council to strengthen oversight and accountability mechanisms for judicial officers, particularly in matters relating to electoral adjudication.
Dated June 8, 2026, in Abuja, other signatories of the statement include Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim, Dr Husseini Abdu, Dr Usman Bugaje, Amb. Fatima Balla, Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud (SAN), Prof. Mohammed Kuna, Dr. Yahaya Hashim and Malam Kabiru Yusuf.
