As the world marks the International Day of Democracy, the ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) and the Yiaga Africa have urged upholding accountability and inclusion by the government and the governed to ensure good governance and wellbeing of the people.
This is contained in separate statements from the organisations on Monday.
The Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Mamedu, challenged the government to uphold accountability and rule of law amidst mounting democratic threats.
He noted that ActionAid Nigeria joins the global community to reflect on the state of democratic processes and governance, as the world commemorates the day under the theme, “From Voice to Action”.
Mamedu noted: “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.
“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.”
Mamedu 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 said, “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.”
Mamedu stressed that 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.
He noted that the Rivers State situation in 2025 serves as a chilling testament to this democratic regression.
Mamedu added: “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.”
Mamedu also noted the situation with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan saying that this further questions Nigeria’s rule of law and the abuse of power within our legislative arm.
He said, “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.”
He therefore called for actions on the listed and other challenges facing the country.
In a separate statement, the Yiaga Africa on its X handle said that democracy is only complete when every voice is heard and every citizen belongs.
“On this International Day of Democracy, we celebrate inclusion as the true strength of democracy and the promise of a future where no one is left behind. Inclusion is not optional, it is the heartbeat and the future of democracy.
“On this International Day of Democracy, we echo democracy and inclusion in an Age of Insecurity as we at @YIAGA reaffirm our wish for a future where every voice counts and every citizen belongs.”