Following the recent Open Society Barometer report revealing that 30 per cent of young Nigerians consider military rule a viable alternative, civil society organisations under the auspices of Strengthening of Democracy in Nigeria Project has kicked against the call, however demanded for the implementation of Justice Muhammed Uwais’ report.
Advocacy Lead, Ezenwa Nwagwu, reiterated this while addressing a press conference on Friday in Abuja, where he admitted that the challenges confronting the nation’s democracy, despite 25 years of uninterrupted democratic governance.
He lamented that the country continued to witness electoral malpractice, political party inefficiencies, weak governance structures, and a growing distrust in the electoral process.
Nwagwu noted that these systemic failures have left the citizens disillusioned and, alarmingly, have fueled sentiments that question the viability of democratic governance itself.
He stated: “But we know that military rule is not an alternative and we will never support military intervention in our political process.
“We will intensify our advocacy for electoral reforms, ensuring that the judiciary upholds impartiality in electoral disputes, and that INEC remains independent and transparent in managing elections.
“We call on the executive to revisit the Uwais Report and implement long-term electoral reforms.
“We also urge the legislature to prioritise electoral laws that promote inclusivity, such as diaspora voting and decentralizing INEC operations for greater efficiency.”
The CSO also demanded that security agencies remained neutral in electoral matters and that electoral offenders are prosecuted to serve as deterrents against political violence and malpractice.
Nwangu said while the media play a crucial role in democracy, the CSOs would work closely with journalists to counter misinformation, promote investigative journalism, and expose governance failures that undermine democratic integrity.
He noted: “Nigeria’s democracy is at a crossroads, but we remain steadfast in our belief that a credible, free, fair, and accountable system of governance is possible.
“As civil society, we will not relent in our duty to hold power to account, to amplify the voices of the people, and to push for reforms that reflect the true will of the citizens.”
“To the Nigerian people, we say this: democracy is not just about elections. It is about active participation, constant vigilance, and collective action. We urge you to stay engaged, to demand transparency from your leaders, and to work with us in shaping a democracy that works for all.
Nwangu emohasised that they would continue to advocate for the media to be fair to all political parties and candidates.