No fewer than 52 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), acting as non-partisan advocates for democracy, human rights, and good governance has issued a plea for responsible leadership and collective action to save Nigeria from escalating insecurity, rising poverty, and moral decay in public life.
According to the statement issued by the CSO’s which comprises of 21st Century Community Empowerment for Youth Initiative, ActionAid Nigeria, Accountability Lab, Nigeria, Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD), African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), Africa Law Foundation, Alliance on Surviving COVID 19 and Beyond (AACAB), Amnesty International Nigeria and others, it states that “Nigeria is on the brink of collapse.”
“Across the country, citizens count losses while politicians trade rhetoric. In Zamfara, displaced farmers now live on crumbs in squalid camps. In Abuja, a teacher spends half her income on transportation.
“In Lagos, families skip meals to pay rent. Yet, federal, state, and local governments continue to enjoy record revenues and allocations. Politics has become Nigeria’s biggest business, even as the country suffers.
“Removing subsidies, floating the naira, and increasing public debt have significantly boosted government revenue. In just the last two years, federal budgets have surpassed ₦100 trillion, exceeding the total of all budgets from 1999 to 2017.
“Nigerians see the numbers, but nothing has improved. Public services falter, inequality grows, and ordinary citizens become poorer while politicians get richer from larger allocations.
“Killings, abductions, and displacement have become commonplace. Entire communities across the North and Middle Belt are deserted. Security cooperation remains weak, and political will appears absent.
“Rural banditry has devastated livelihoods, disrupted food supplies, and caused inflation to rise above 15%. Hunger looms over millions of homes while farms lie abandoned in fear.
“From schoolchildren in Sokoto to commuters in Abuja, kidnapping has become a nationwide industry. Paying ransom has replaced access to safety.
The statement further reads: “Journalists face harassment, activists face threats, and peaceful protesters are silenced. A democracy that fears its citizens is already in decline. Entrenched graft continues to drain public resources.
“Citizens hear about trillion-naira budgets, yet roads stay impassable, hospitals are empty, and schools are in disrepair. Accountability has been replaced by excuses.
“Despite increasing government revenue, the economy still harms the poor. Inflation, unemployment, and currency instability have worsened inequality. Poverty has become Nigeria’s most noticeable institution.
“Politicians focus on succession battles while citizens struggle for survival. The manipulation of political systems and the erosion of trust threaten Nigeria’s multiparty democracy and future stability.
“The inability to curb the influx of illicit funds into the political space. Justice delayed or influenced is justice denied. Political interference in courts has eroded the judiciary’s former trust.
“Nigerians deserve relief, justice, and dignity, not just slogans. We call for urgent action from the government and its institutions.
“Restore security and humanity: coordinate national security efforts, enhance intelligence capabilities, and make community protection a clear, measurable priority.
“End corruption without exception: prosecute offenders swiftly, disclose public spending transparently, and restore ethics in governance.
“Defend democracy from being hijacked: end the politicization of institutions, establish political finance integrity mechanisms, ensure electoral reforms before 2027, and maintain internal party democracy.”
