PRESS STATEMENT ActionAid Nigeria Challenges Government to Uphold Accountability and Rule of Law Amidst Mounting Democratic Threats
For Immediate Release
ActionAid Nigeria Challenges Government to Uphold Accountability and Rule of Law Amidst Mounting Democratic Threats
Abuja, Nigeria – 15 September 2025 – As the world commemorates the International Day of Democracy under the theme, “From Voice to Action,” ActionAid Nigeria joins the global community to reflect on the state of democratic processes and governance. This theme serves as a powerful call to move beyond merely expressing the will of the people (voice) to taking decisive steps to translate that will into tangible results and good governance (action). For Nigeria, this year’s commemoration is not a theoretical exercise; it is an urgent demand for a system where the voice of the people is not just heard, but is acted upon to repair the fractures in our democracy and ensure its foundational pillars are not eroded.
ActionAid Nigeria Country Director, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, noted that “Our democracy is at a critical juncture. While we have sustained a continuous civilian rule for over two and a half decades, the promise of democracy, accountability, good governance, and credible elections remains, for many, an illusion.” He highlighted the recent 2025 Chandler Good Government Index, which ranked Nigeria at a dismal 116th out of 120 countries, and the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance, which places us 33rd out of 54 African nations. These, he explained, “are not mere statistics; they are a damning indictment of a system that is failing to deliver on its most basic duties. This trust deficit is palpable and it stems from a leadership that often operates without genuine accountability to the citizens it purports to serve.” These figures, alongside a national unemployment rate that has remained stubbornly high and a multidimensional poverty index showing that a third of our population lives in abject poverty, paint a picture of a democracy that is not delivering on its promise.
Dr. Mamedu further stressed that the Rivers State situation in 2025 serves as a chilling testament to this democratic regression. “When a state of emergency can be declared to what seems like settling political scores and a lawmaker can be unconstitutionally barred from resuming her duties,” he said, “it is clear that the foundational pillars of our democracy are eroding.” The declaration of a state of emergency, which effectively suspended the democratically elected government, is seen by many as a dangerous display of executive overreach. While framed as a necessary intervention to restore order amidst political turmoil, this unprecedented move undermines the very principles of federalism and the sanctity of the ballot box.
ActionAid Nigeria also noted that the situation with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan further questions Nigeria’s rule of law and the abuse of power within our legislative arm. Despite a court order and the expiration of her six-month suspension, the National Assembly has continued to bar her from resuming her duties, citing a pending appeal. This refusal to adhere to a judicial pronouncement is a clear example of legislative impunity, and it disenfranchises the entire Kogi Central Senatorial District. It is a deeply unsettling precedent that suggests political institutions can act as they please, with little regard for the checks and balances designed to protect the rights of citizens and their elected representatives. This deliberate obstruction of a lawmaker's mandate is not just an attack on an individual; it is an assault on the core tenets of representative democracy and a clear message that dissent will not be tolerated, even when it is legally sanctioned.
As we confront these domestic challenges, we must draw lessons from global trends, particularly from the Gen Z-led movement for accountability and democratic reform in Nepal. Angered by systemic corruption and a lavish political elite, Nepalese youth took to the streets in 2025, demanding a government that serves the people rather than itself. Their digitally powered protests, which saw the use of social media platforms like TikTok and Telegram for mobilisation, culminated in the resignation of the Prime Minister and a push for a new political order. This movement is a powerful reminder that a digitally-native generation is no longer content with the status quo. They are demanding transparency, accountability, and a genuine say in whom their leaders are. For Nigeria's democracy to thrive, it must empower its youth and engage with their demands for good governance, for it is this generation that will either inherit a broken system or build a more equitable one.
On this International Day of Democracy, ActionAid Nigeria calls on all tiers of government and stakeholders, including the judiciary, civil society, and every Nigerian citizen, to demonstrate a renewed commitment to accountability. We demand the immediate reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to her senatorial seat in compliance with the Federal High Court's judgment. The Presidency must be held accountable by refraining from actions that undermine federalism, as seen in the Rivers State crisis. The National Assembly must also be held accountable by playing its role of check and balance on the Executive arm. Furthermore, we call for the swift passage of electoral reform legislation, including provisions for electronic transmission of results, to ensure our electoral process is transparent and accountable. We also call on our Judiciary to actually be the hope of the common man and be bold and quick in giving judgements on issues that are of national interest and have bearing on interpretation of our constitution, like the case of the ability of the President to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State and remove an elected Governor and serving State House of Assembly Members.
Signed
Andrew Mamedu
Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria