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Chibuzor Emejor
A civil advocacy group under the banner of #Nigeria Unite, said it has petitioned major Western governments and international institutions, including the United States, United Kingdom and the European Union, over decline in Nigeria’s democracy.
The group also alleged that Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory, is contributing to its decline.
In the petition entitled “Imminent Collapse of Democracy in the Sahel Region (West Africa)”, the group expressed deep concern over what it called the “systematic erosion of democratic institutions” in Nigeria, warning that the country’s political trajectory mirrors the instability already engulfing parts of the Sahel.
The document, signed by the group’s National Secretary, Sunday Daniel, is addressed to the US House of Representatives in Washington D.C., the European Commission in Brussels, the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, and key international figures including Senator Ted Cruz and European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen.
Daniel called on the diplomatic intervention to protect Nigeria’s democracy and stability amid what it described as a growing authoritarian drift.
The petition linked the decline of democratic norms in Nigeria to alleged abuses of power by Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, accusing him of weakening opposition parties and consolidating control.
Citing ongoing instability in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, three Sahelian nations under military rule, the group warned that Nigeria’s democratic backsliding could have “catastrophic regional and global consequences,” including rising insecurity, migration pressures, and humanitarian crises.
Daniel said: “We urge the African Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom to take a proactive stance in safeguarding democracy in Nigeria.
“Diplomatic engagement, monitoring electoral processes, and offering support to civil society organisations are essential steps in this endeavour.
“We implore the international community to impose targeted sanctions against Nyesom Wike, the architect of many of these anti-democratic machinations.
“Measures such as visa bans, and the confiscation of assets abroad would send a clear message that the international community will not tolerate anything that undermines democratic principles.
“In addition to targeting Wike, we advocate for similar punitive measures against the compromised judges and police officers who facilitate the enforcement of his schemes.
“Holding these individuals accountable is crucial for restoring the rule of law and rebuilding public trust in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“Ensuring accountability is essential to restore public trust and uphold the rule of law in our democratic processes.”
The group warned that failure to act could lead to the “complete destabilisation of sub-Saharan Africa,” emphasising that Nigeria’s democratic integrity remains essential to the stability of the Sahel and the broader African continent.
He added, “We the undersigned citizens and advocates express concern about declining democratic institutions in Nigeria which is Africa’s largest democracy.
“The deterioration of democracy in the Sahel region signifies a regional crisis that poses a growing threat to international peace and stability with direct implications for migration control, affecting Europe.
“The current trajectory of political events in the Sahel region of West Africa suggest an imminent collapse of democracy that threatens not only Nigeria, the largest democracy in the Black world, but also the stability and democratic integrity of the entire Sahel region.”
The petition further accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of using coercion, intimidation, and inducement to dominate Nigeria’s political space, warning that the pattern of mass defections from opposition parties could transform the country into a de facto one-party state reminiscent of the military era.
He Further said: “The All Progressive Congress (APC) has used coercion, intimidation and inducements to muscle the political space in Nigeria overshadowing the facade of multi-party democracy.
“This forceful bulldozing has affected opposition parties like the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), weakening their ability to challenge effectively.
“There is a significant influx of politicians, including governors, senators, and local government officials, forced to switch to the APC, posing a threat to the diversity of Nigeria’s political landscape.
“The continuous defections to the APC raise concerns about Nigeria transitioning into a one-party state, stifling opposition voices and compromising the democratic process in the style of the late General Sani Abatcha.
“If the trend continues unchecked, future elections in Nigeria may become mere endorsements of predetermined outcomes, leading to a democracy devoid of choice, competition, and accountability.
“The erosion of democratic norms in Nigeria is further exacerbated using public resources to lure opposition leaders into the ruling party.
“While constitutional provisions allow for party-switching, the reckless deployment of state resources to entice dissenting voices to defect undermines the very essence of democratic competition.
“This practice not only fosters a culture of corruption but also creates an environment where opposing views are systematically silenced.
“The allocation of resources is starkly unequal.Governors from the ruling party are showered with immense financial support, while their counterparts from opposition parties are deliberately starved of resources, effectively crippling their ability to function and compete in the political arena.
“This imbalance further consolidates power within the ruling party and diminishes the prospects for a robust democratic process leading up to the 2027 elections.
“As the political environment in Nigeria becomes increasingly oppressive, we witness the gradual gagging of opposition voices.
“The chilling effect of state-sponsored intimidation and coercion leaves little room for dissent.
“With the 2027 elections on the horizon, the absence of a vibrant opposition could culminate in a political environment devoid of accountability, transparency, and genuine democratic choice.”
According to the petition, public resources are being used to “lure opposition leaders into the ruling party,” creating a culture of corruption and silencing dissent.
The group also criticised the National Assembly for being “overwhelmed by the executive,” accusing it of failing in its constitutional duty of oversight and accountability.
The group warned that the continued suppression of dissent and politicisation of state institutions could trigger mass unrest and regional instability, stressing that a collapse of democracy in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, would have far-reaching consequences.
“The destabilisation of Nigeria, with its population of 250 million people, will have repercussions across Africa and beyond.
“It will threaten peace, increase migration to Europe and the US,and worsen the humanitarian and security situation in the Sahel,” he warned.
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