Declining Trust, Corruption Threaten Nigeria’s Democracy-CISLAC

In a statement marking Democracy Day, CISLAC Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, described the state of governance as “frightening,” pointing to the collapse of transparency, accountability, and responsible leadership as core indicators of backsliding democratic values.

“Right now, the nation’s democratic institutions are at their weakest points and consistently failing the people, while authoritarian tendencies continue to rise,” Rafsanjani said. Citing failures in leadership, a breakdown of public trust, and an erosion of civil liberties, CISLAC accused the Tinubu administration of reversing decades of democratic gains.

Instead of consolidating on hard-won democratic progress, Nigeria is “regressing into a governance model defined by unaccountable leadership, weak institutions, killings, and absolute exclusion of citizens from decision-making,” Rafsanjani said.

A major concern raised by the group is the growing crisis of electoral integrity. “Elections have become mere exercises in futility for many citizens,” CISLAC said, citing rampant voter suppression, electoral violence, vote buying, and court interference. These practices have led to what the group calls “political banditry” aimed solely at state capture.

With voter apathy at an all-time high, CISLAC blamed political parties for operating as vehicles for elite bargains, lacking ideology and discipline. The organisation called for sweeping electoral and political party reforms to restore public confidence.

While the government often showcases federal anti-corruption efforts, CISLAC highlighted the largely unchecked graft in Nigeria’s 36 states. “Many state governors operate without transparency, supported by compromised state assemblies and an almost total lack of oversight,” Rafsanjani said.

CISLAC also expressed deep concern over the compromised state of Nigeria’s judiciary. “Delays in access to justice, conflicting judgments, and perceived political interference are now the norm,” Rafsanjani said.

The group warned that a functioning democracy is impossible without an independent judiciary, calling for urgent reforms to safeguard judicial autonomy and restore public confidence in the rule of law.

insecurity threatens lives and livelihoods across the country despite repeated government assurances, and CISLAC said the federal government has failed to articulate or implement a coherent national security strategy.

“The government must adopt a people-centred approach to security, one that addresses both symptoms and root causes,” the group urged.

Perhaps the most economically damning part of CISLAC’s statement focused on the Tinubu administration’s removal of fuel subsidies. While the move was billed as a bold economic reform, the group said the promised savings have failed to improve living standards.

“The so-called fuel subsidy savings have not translated into tangible relief for ordinary Nigerians,” CISLAC stated. “Instead, more people have been plunged into poverty, unemployment remains high, and inflation is decimating household incomes.”

CISLAC accused the government of mismanaging these funds in ways that have only widened the trust gap between the state and its citizens.

The civil society group also condemned an ongoing clampdown on civil liberties, including the arrest of activists and harassment of NGOs like Amnesty International.

“The shrinking civic space and repression of dissent is incompatible with any credible democratic system,” Rafsanjani warned, calling for an immediate halt to attacks on peaceful protesters, journalists, and advocacy organizations.

As Nigeria commemorates Democracy Day, CISLAC called for urgent and sweeping reforms across all arms of government.

“Democracy is more than elections,” Rafsanjani said. “It must demonstrate good governance, strong institutions, protection of rights, and active civic participation. We call on the Nigerian government to end the ongoing repression, embrace people-oriented reforms, and restore the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic system.”

For many Nigerians grappling with rising poverty, insecurity, and institutional failures, the warnings from CISLAC reflect growing disillusionment with the promises of democracy and a call to rescue its future before it slips further into crisis.