As Nigeria gears up for celebration of the 2026 Democracy Day tomorrow, June 12th, ActionAid Nigeria has called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to take urgent steps to strengthen democratic institutions, protect civic freedoms, and address rising poverty and insecurity, warning that the promise symbolized by Democracy Day is yet to be fully realized.In a statement marking the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, said the decision by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018 to recognize June 12 as Democracy Day was a significant step toward correcting the injustice surrounding the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as Nigeria's freest and fairest poll.
According to Mamedu, the declaration represented a commitment to ensuring that the will of the Nigerian people remains the foundation of governance. However, he argued that developments in the country's democratic and civic landscape raise questions about whether that commitment is being upheld.
He expressed concern over what he described as increasing restrictions on civic space, citing reports of arrests, prosecutions, and intimidation of journalists, activists, and citizens exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
Mamedu noted that the National Human Rights Commission recorded 266,787 human rights complaints in April 2026 alone, including allegations of extra-judicial killings, abuse of authority, and violations of fundamental freedoms.
He referenced several cases, including the arrest of a journalist in Kebbi State for reporting on conditions in a public hospital, the legal proceedings involving activist Omoyele Sowore, and the detention of ACTIVISTA member Abubakar Isah under provisions of the Cybercrimes Act.
"The shrinking of civic space undermines the very principles that June 12 represents and weakens citizens' ability to hold public officials accountable," he said.
ActionAid Nigeria also raised concerns about Nigeria's electoral framework ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The organization argued that the Electoral Act 2026 was enacted without sufficient consultation with stakeholders and warned that failure to amend contentious provisions could weaken public confidence in the electoral process.
The group further expressed concern over what it described as growing political dominance by the ruling party, warning that excessive alignment between the legislature and executive could diminish democratic checks and balances.
On socio-economic challenges, Mamedu highlighted the worsening poverty situation in the country.
He cited data from the National Bureau of Statistics showing that 133 million Nigerians were living in multidimensional poverty as of 2022, while the World Bank estimated that 139 million Nigerians were living in extreme poverty by October 2025.
He said the poverty crisis is compounded by persistent insecurity, including banditry, kidnappings, and armed conflict, which continue to disrupt farming, education, and economic activities across several communities.
According to him, poor governance, weak institutions, and limited accountability have contributed significantly to the country's socio-economic challenges over the past two decades.
ActionAid Nigeria also criticized the implementation of multiple federal budgets simultaneously, arguing that the practice weakens oversight, reduces transparency, and increases the risk of misallocation of public resources.
The organization pointed to Nigeria's ranking of 116th out of 120 countries in the 2025 Chandler Good Government Index as evidence of governance challenges that require urgent attention.
To address these concerns, ActionAid Nigeria urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act 2026 through an inclusive and transparent process before the 2027 elections.
The organization also called for an end to the use of the Cybercrimes Act and security agencies to suppress journalism, activism, and peaceful dissent, while advocating a rights-based approach to tackling insecurity and protecting affected communities.
Additionally, it urged the government to strengthen social protection programmes, invest in food security and smallholder farmers, and reform fiscal governance to improve transparency and accountability.
Mamedu stressed that while the recognition of June 12 as Democracy Day was a landmark decision, its true significance depends on the strength of democratic institutions and the protection of citizens' rights.
"Declarations alone are not enough. Democracy must be reflected in transparent governance, credible elections, protected civic freedoms, and improved living conditions for all Nigerians," he said.
He reaffirmed ActionAid Nigeria's commitment to working with communities, civil society organizations, and development partners to promote accountability and democratic governance across the country.