Nigerian Democracy Faces “Triple Threat” From Poverty, Lack of Trust, and Shrinking Civic Space, CSOs Warn

Nigeria’s democratic future is hanging in the balance, threatened by the toxic combination of widespread poverty, a breakdown of public trust, and a shrinking space for public discourse. This dire warning was issued by a coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), including the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) and the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD).

Speaking at a national press conference in Abuja, the groups stated that Nigeria’s democratic project is facing a “triple threat” that requires urgent attention ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to the CSOs, the most immediate danger comes from the country’s staggering poverty rate, with over 133 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty. This economic vulnerability, they argued, makes citizens susceptible to financial inducement and vote-buying, which directly undermines the principle of a free and fair election.

“Poverty is the greatest enemy of democracy,” said a representative of the coalition. “When citizens are hungry, they become vulnerable to the highest bidder, and the democratic choice becomes a transaction rather than an expression of will.”

The CSOs also highlighted a deep-seated lack of trust in key democratic institutions, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). They pointed to the public perception that the appointments of INEC officials are influenced by external forces, a belief that further erodes citizen confidence. In addition, the groups warned about the shrinking civic space, with activists, journalists, and civil society actors increasingly facing what they termed “hostile regulations.” They called on the government to protect and expand civic freedoms, asserting that a healthy democracy cannot exist without them. The CSOs’ warning serves as a crucial call to action for the government and stakeholders to address these fundamental issues before they completely derail the nation’s democratic journey.