ANEEJ URGES DEMOCRATIC STRENGTHENING AMID ECONOMIC HARDSHIP
Benin City, Edo State. June 12, 2025… As Nigeria marks this year’s Democracy Day, the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has called for urgent steps to strengthen the country’s democratic culture through inclusive governance, stronger institutions, and a renewed focus on economic justice and public accountability.
In a statement issued to commemorate the occasion, the Executive Director of ANEEJ, Rev David Ugolor, emphasized that Nigeria’s democracy must evolve beyond periodic elections and political symbolism to address the day-to-day challenges faced by citizens particularly the growing economic hardship impacting millions of Nigerians.
“This year’s Democracy Day is a moment of reflection. A true democracy must meet the basic needs of its people. It must feed the hungry, create opportunities for the unemployed, and listen to the voices of the marginalized. At a time when inflation, poverty, and food insecurity are at record highs, Nigerians deserve more than promises, they deserve policies that work,” Ugolor stated.
He observed that the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process is increasingly being tested by the disconnect between governance and the realities of the population. “A democracy that does not deliver is one that is vulnerable to erosion. To rebuild trust, we must prioritize people over politics and strengthen the institutions that protect rights, ensure justice, and deliver public goods.”
Highlighting ANEEJ’s five-point concern for deepening democracy, Ugolor stressed the need to:
1. Tackle economic hardship through inclusive and social protection policies.
2. Strengthen institutions and ensure they operate independently of political manipulation.
3. Promote inclusive governance by amplifying the voices of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in decision-making.
4. Safeguard civic space and freedom of expression, which are essential for a vibrant democracy.
5. Advance democratic accountability through open governance, consistent anti-corruption efforts such as the passage of whistleblower blower protection bill, and citizen participation in the budget process.
“Democracy must mean more than ballots and political transitions. It must reflect in how decisions are made, whose voices are heard, and how resources are managed,” he said.
Ugolor also called on policymakers, political leaders, and civil society actors to work collaboratively in building a more inclusive, transparent, and people-focused democracy. “Nigeria’s future rests not on strongmen, but on strong institutions. It is time we return to the fundamentals of participatory democracy, one that puts citizens at the centre,” he concluded.
Democracy Day in Nigeria is observed annually on June 12 to honour the memory of the 1993 presidential elections widely regarded as the freest and fairest in the country’s history. It serves as a national reminder of the enduring struggles for freedom, representation, and accountable governance.
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