Democracy Day: CDD urges accountable governance, democratic participation

Democracy Day: CDD urges accountable governance, democratic participation

By Perpetua Onuegbu

ABUJA, NIGERIA June, 2026 - Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) has called on Nigerians and leaders to recommit themselves to accountable governance, justice, inclusion and democratic participation.

The organisation, in its Democracy Day message issued in Abuja on Friday, said Nigeria’s return to civil rule in 1999 marked significant progress in spite of persistent democratic challenges.

The CDD Director, Dr Dauda Garuba, who issued the statement, said that Democracy Day should serve as a moment for reflection on the country’s democratic journey and efforts to strengthen constitutional governance and public accountability.

He expressed concern over worsening insecurity, citing the abduction of 39 students and seven teachers from schools in Oyo State by gunmen in May.

According to him, recurring kidnappings, banditry, insurgency and farmer-herder clashes have exposed weaknesses in national security and undermined citizens’ confidence in official protection.

Garuba noted that insecurity had encouraged communities to be making self-help security arrangements.

“These incidents highlight the state’s continued struggle to protect citizens, with criminal groups exploiting security gaps to target travellers, students, schools and rural communities.

“The persistence of insecurity has eroded public trust and encouraged the emergence of self-help security arrangements in many communities,” he said.

Garuba also highlighted economic difficulties, noting that despite 3.89 per cent GDP growth in the first quarter of 2026, living conditions still remained a major challenge.

According to him, inflation, exchange rate depreciation, rising food prices, transport costs and fuel subsidy removal continued to increase hardship, with incomes failing to keep pace.

The CDD boss further identified infrastructure failures as major concerns, citing repeated national grid collapses in 2026 that disrupted economic activities and affected millions of Nigerians.

He also expressed concern over declining electoral competitiveness, weak opposition parties and increasing judicial involvement in determining election outcomes across the country.

These developments, he said, had weakened confidence in Independent National Electoral Commission and reduced citizens’ faith in democratic processes and electoral credibility.

Garuba said governance challenges were also evident at state and local government levels, where executive dominance, weak oversight institutions and limited local autonomy persisted.

He urged Nigerians to obtain their permanent voter cards (PVCs), participate actively in elections and use democratic processes to demand accountable leadership and stronger institutions.

“We call on all eligible Nigerians to register, collect their permanent voter cards (PVCs) and exercise their right to vote in future elections.

“The PVC remains one of the most powerful tools available to citizens in today’s Nigeria. It must be used to demand better leadership, stronger institutions and more accountable governance.

“Nigeria’s democracy cannot be left to courts, politicians or political parties alone; it must be defended and strengthened through the active participation of citizens.

“This resilience provides hope that through collective action, Nigeria can overcome its present difficulties and rebuild public confidence in democratic governance,” he said.

Garuba also called for security reforms, infrastructure investment, electoral transparency and genuine local government autonomy, pledging continued advocacy for democratic governance and citizen participation.