International Day Of Democracy: ActionAid Nigeria Demands Good Governance

As the world commemorates International Day of Democracy under the theme “From Voice to Action,” ActionAid Nigeria is urging good governance and the redress of fractures within the nation’s democracy to safeguard its fundamental pillars.

In a statement released on Monday, ActionAid Nigeria’s Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, emphasised that the day’s theme is a strong call to move beyond merely expressing the people’s will (“voice”) and take concrete steps to translate that will into tangible results and good governance (“action”).

He stated, “For Nigeria, this year’s commemoration is not an abstract exercise; it is an urgent demand for a system where the voice of the people is not only heard but acted upon to repair the fractures in our democracy and ensure its foundational pillars remain strong.”

Mamedu also noted, “Our democracy is at a critical juncture. While we have sustained continuous civilian rule for over two and a half decades, the promise of accountability, good governance, and credible elections remains elusive for many.”

He highlighted the recent 2025 Chandler Good Government Index, which ranked Nigeria a dismal 116th out of 120 countries, and the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance, which placed the nation 33rd out of 54 African nations. He emphasised that these “are not mere statistics; they are a damning indictment of a system failing to deliver on its most basic duties. This trust deficit is palpable, stemming from a leadership that often operates without genuine accountability to the citizens it purports to serve.”

He added that these figures, coupled with a persistently high national unemployment rate and a multidimensional poverty index indicating that a third of the population lives in abject poverty, paint a picture of a democracy failing to fulfil its promise.

He pointed to the Rivers State situation in 2025 as a chilling testament to this democratic regression, referencing the declaration of a state of emergency allegedly to settle political scores.

He further raised concerns regarding the situation with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, questioning Nigeria’s rule of law and the potential abuse of power within the legislative branch. He lamented that despite a court order and the expiration of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension, the National Assembly has continued to bar her from resuming her duties, citing a pending appeal.

Mamedu stated that this refusal to adhere to a judicial pronouncement exemplifies legislative impunity and disenfranchises the entire Kogi Central Senatorial District. He added that it sets a deeply unsettling precedent, suggesting that political institutions can act with little regard for the checks and balances designed to protect the rights of citizens and their elected representatives.

He stressed that 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 sends a clear message that dissent will not be tolerated, even when legally sanctioned.

He said, “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, utilising 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 serves as a potent reminder that a digitally native generation is no longer content with the status quo. They demand transparency, accountability, and a genuine say in who 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.”

He stated that 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.”

He added, “The National Assembly must also be held accountable by fulfilling its role in providing checks and balances on the Executive branch. Furthermore, we call for the swift passage of electoral reform legislation, including provisions for the electronic transmission of results, to ensure our electoral process is transparent and accountable. We also call on our Judiciary to be the hope of the common person and be bold and quick in giving judgments on issues that are of national interest and have bearing on the interpretation of our constitution, such as 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.”