Nigeria’s democracy called ‘civil rule’ as critics warn of election credibility crisis

Human‑rights lawyer Femi Falana told Amnesty International’s Nigeria AGM that, despite 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule, the country operates under “civil rule, not democracy”. He warned that elections alone do not constitute democracy when millions still face poverty, insecurity and institutional failure, and cautioned that public confidence in constitutional rule could erode unless government delivers justice, security, education, health and economic opportunity.

Political analyst Professor Udenta echoed the criticism, saying Nigeria’s democratic institutions have weakened since the June 12 1993 milestone. He asserted that the Independent National Electoral Commission, led by Mahmood Yakubu, lacks the credibility to hold a free and fair election in 2027, citing state capture of the legislature, a compromised judiciary and an “electoral empire” that threatens the integrity of the upcoming polls.