The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has raised the alarm over growing threats to Nigeria’s democratic development ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group identified voter intimidation, inflammatory political rhetoric, electoral violence, abuse of public office, political thuggery, voter suppression, and the weaponisation of ethnicity and religion for political advantage as major threats to the country’s democratic process.
Speaking at a press conference to commemorate the International Day of Democracy in Abuja on Tuesday, the Situation Room said Nigeria was entering a critical phase ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing that the credibility of the polls would depend on more than what happens on election day.
It said the political environment, conduct of political parties and their candidates, preparedness and independence of democratic institutions, and safeguards put in place ahead of the elections would determine whether Nigerians could have confidence in the electoral process.
The civil society coalition cited an Afrobarometer survey showing that 77 per cent of Nigerians were dissatisfied with the way democracy was working, while 64 per cent still believed democracy was preferable to any other form of government.
According to the group, the figures indicate that Nigerians have not rejected democracy but are increasingly dissatisfied with its performance and the institutions responsible for protecting their rights.
It also referenced international assessments, including Freedom House’s classification of Nigeria as an electoral autocracy and the 2024 Mo Ibrahim Index, which ranked Nigeria 33rd out of 54 African countries.
The Situation Room identified institutional failure and a culture of impunity as key threats to democratic governance, urging security agencies, electoral authorities and the judiciary to demonstrate greater independence and effectiveness in investigating and prosecuting electoral offences, intimidation, incitement and violence.
It stressed that politically influential individuals should not be shielded from accountability when credible allegations are made against them.
The group also expressed concern over reports of citizens being threatened because of their political choices, insisting that no Nigerian should be forced to choose between exercising a constitutional right and protecting their safety, livelihood or freedom.
It particularly condemned reports of alleged directives threatening citizens to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) or leave their communities.
The Situation Room said such conduct, if established, would constitute a serious assault on citizens’ constitutional rights and freedoms.
It maintained that the right to vote belongs to citizens and must not be made conditional on political loyalty.
The group further warned political actors against exploiting ethnicity and religion for mobilisation, saying elections should be based on ideas, policies, competence and accountability rather than demographic dominance or exclusion.
On political thuggery and voter suppression, it called on security agencies to provide equal protection to candidates, political parties and citizens, regardless of political affiliation or status.
The Situation Room urged relevant authorities to enforce electoral laws impartially and prosecute violations, including threats against voters, voter suppression, electoral violence and obstruction of lawful political participation.
It called for neutrality in the operations of public institutions, insisting that government agencies, security forces and public resources must not be deployed to advance the interests of incumbent political actors or undermine opposition parties and candidates.
The group also demanded protection of fundamental rights, including freedom of movement, peaceful assembly, association, expression and political participation.
Political parties and their leaders, it said, must publicly reject intimidation, political violence and hate speech, while holding their members and supporters accountable for violations.
It also called for stronger institutional accountability and improved electoral preparedness as the country approaches the 2027 elections.
The Situation Room announced plans to intensify monitoring of Nigeria’s political and electoral environment ahead of the 2027 polls.
It said the monitoring would cover electoral preparedness, institutional performance, the conduct of political actors, campaign financing, abuse of public resources, electoral violence, intimidation, hate speech, misinformation and disinformation, civic participation, and the independence and accountability of institutions responsible for the electoral process.
The group said it would continue to provide citizens with credible information, promote public dialogue and demand accountability from public officials.
It described the International Day of Democracy as an opportunity for a national call to action rather than merely a commemoration.
The Situation Room stressed that democracy was a right belonging to citizens and must be protected through responsible institutions and active citizen participation.
It therefore called on political leaders, public officials, electoral bodies, security agencies, the judiciary, political parties, the media, civil society organisations and citizens to make clear and measurable commitments to protecting Nigeria’s democracy.
The group said Nigeria deserved elections that citizens could trust, political leaders who respected the people’s mandate and institutions that protected democracy rather than partisan interests.
