CSOS WARN THAT POVERTY AND WEAK TRUST ENDANGER NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY
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BY OWOLABI OLUWADARA
Civil Society Organizations, the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative, and the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development have urged immediate reforms to enhance Nigeria’s democracy in anticipation of the 2027 general elections.
During a national press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Yemisi Nathaniel, the Programme Director at WRAPA, and Ita Otabor, the Strategy Director at Centre LSD, articulated these concerns.
Nathaniel indicated that, with the support of the MacArthur Foundation, the groups cautioned that Nigeria’s democratic advancement confronts three significant challenges: diminishing civic space, pervasive poverty, and diminished confidence in the electoral process.
“The civic space is the essence of democracy. When it is under assault, freedoms diminish, and the foundations of participatory democracy and accountable governance are severely compromised,” stated the organizers, highlighting that journalists, activists, and civil society representatives are increasingly experiencing constraints due to oppressive regulations. They further expressed apprehension regarding Nigeria’s poverty rates, remarking, “Over 133 million individuals endure multidimensional poverty despite the nation’s abundant human and mineral resources. Poverty is frequently manipulated during elections through inducements and vote-buying. ”
Concerning electoral integrity, the organizations emphasized the necessity for reforms pertaining to the appointment process of the chairman and commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“There exists a widespread belief in external interference. The process must foster confidence and ensure the impartiality of the electoral arbiter,” they asserted. The groups noted that recommendations generated from their Civic Space, Poverty and Election Project have been consolidated into two policy briefs and a memorandum for constitutional amendments, which were made public in August.
They indicated that the subsequent phase of the project will concentrate on promoting the recommendations via civic campaigns, broadening coalition-building efforts with civil society and grassroots organizations, and engaging policymakers, including the National Assembly, INEC, the judiciary, and security agencies.
“The CISPEN Project has demonstrated that democracy cannot flourish in Nigeria without civic liberties, empowered citizens liberated from poverty, and trustworthy electoral institutions,” the statement emphasized.
On September 3, the media reported that CSOs condemned the 44.51 percent year-on-year increase in cooking gas prices in Nigeria, warning that it would exacerbate poverty, compel households to resort to unsafe alternatives, and negatively impact the environment.
The National Bureau of Statistics revealed that the average cost of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder escalated from N14,261.57 in July 2024 to N20,609.48 in July 2025.
Andrew Mamedu, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, characterized the price increase as “a concerning indication,” noting that the rise significantly surpassed the 22 percent inflation rate.
“Undoubtedly, it represents a troubling signal,” he stated, warning that more families would revert to using firewood and charcoal, intensifying climate change and public health hazards.
Similarly, Munachi Ugochukwu from Christian Aid Nigeria urged government intervention, underscoring that “stakeholders must be engaged collaboratively” to address pricing issues and industry conflicts.
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