By Desire Uzochukwu
As Nigeria marks its 66th Independence anniversary, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the Federal Government and state governments to build a democracy that delivers tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.
CAPPA, in an Independence Day statement, said Nigerians should be able to measure democracy not only by elections and political institutions, but also by whether they can live safely, afford basic necessities, access healthcare and education, find decent jobs and trust public institutions to serve their interests.
The organisation acknowledged Nigeria’s resilience and the country’s return to uninterrupted civilian rule since 1999, but said the democratic journey must ultimately be measured by the quality of life experienced by ordinary Nigerians.
“Beyond statistics and policy announcements, Nigerians need to feel the difference in their pockets, homes, communities, workplaces and markets,” CAPPA said.
The statement comes as the country enters another year of independence amid economic pressures, insecurity and concerns about the effectiveness of public institutions.
CAPPA said the government’s emphasis on economic reforms, stabilisation and renewed growth must translate into measurable improvements in household welfare.
The organisation cited recent International Monetary Fund figures indicating that 63 per cent of Nigerians were living below the national poverty line, while an estimated 27 million Nigerians faced food insecurity in late 2025.
It said the figures should reinforce the need for government to make citizens’ welfare the ultimate measure of economic policy.
“Economic reforms should not be considered successful merely because they improve government revenues, attract investment or strengthen macroeconomic indicators,” CAPPA said.
“Their ultimate test should be whether they improve household incomes, reduce hardship, expand opportunities and protect vulnerable Nigerians from being pushed deeper into poverty.”
The group called for greater attention to affordable food, a living wage, decent employment, accessible healthcare, quality education, reliable electricity, public water supply and stronger social protection.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, CAPPA said the electoral process would provide another major test of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, and the governorship and State House of Assembly elections for March 6, 2027.
CAPPA urged INEC, political parties, security agencies, governments and other stakeholders to ensure that the elections are peaceful, transparent, credible and inclusive.
The organisation called for stronger measures against vote-buying, intimidation, undue influence, electoral violence and other violations capable of undermining voters’ choices.
It also demanded greater transparency around voter registration, election technology, result collation and the resolution of electoral disputes.
CAPPA said citizens must be able to vote without fear, while electoral institutions must operate independently and transparently.
The organisation stressed that democracy must not be reduced to periodic elections.
“Credible electoral processes and institutions are essential, but democracy must continue between elections,” CAPPA said.
“Citizens must be able to question government, demand information, organise peacefully, criticise public policy and participate in decisions that affect our lives.”
It urged the government to protect freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and civic participation, while ensuring that journalists, civil society organisations, workers, students and other citizens can speak and organise without intimidation.
CAPPA also called on political parties and candidates to reject ethnic and religious mobilisation, misinformation and intimidation, urging them instead to engage Nigerians on concrete policy proposals.
On security, CAPPA said Nigeria could not claim meaningful democratic progress while insecurity continues to threaten lives, livelihoods, education and freedom of movement.
It cited insurgency, kidnapping, banditry and communal violence among the challenges affecting communities across the country.
While acknowledging gains recorded by the military and other security agencies, the organisation urged authorities to strengthen the country’s security architecture while ensuring that security agencies operate within the law and respect human rights.
CAPPA said citizens must be protected both from violent non-state actors and from unlawful abuses by state authorities.
The organisation also called for stronger institutions and greater scrutiny of public spending.
It demanded improved oversight of government expenditure, transparent procurement, open contracting and stronger enforcement against corruption, arguing that public office must remain a public trust.
CAPPA further urged government to invest more heavily in education, healthcare, public water systems, agriculture and other essential services.
It warned against allowing the deterioration of public institutions to become a justification for their commercialisation or transfer to private interests.
As Nigeria marks another Independence Day, CAPPA said patriotism should not mean silence in the face of the country’s challenges.
It urged citizens to participate actively in democratic life, scrutinise political promises, demand accountability from elected officials and reject attempts to divide Nigerians along ethnic, religious or regional lines.
“The Nigeria of our dreams cannot be built by pretending that everything is working,” CAPPA said.
“It will be built by confronting what is broken, fixing our institutions and ensuring that government works for the people.”
The organisation identified five priorities for the country: strengthening the electoral system ahead of 2027; protecting civic and democratic freedoms; making citizens’ welfare the measure of economic policy; rebuilding public services and infrastructure; and developing a security system that protects lives, livelihoods and rights.
