Advocacy Group Alerts U.S., U.K., EU to Fears of Democratic Decline in Nigeria

A civil advocacy organisation, Nigeria Unite, has submitted petitions to the governments of the United States, United Kingdom, and the European Union, warning of what it calls a steady decline in Nigeria’s democratic standards.

The group expressed concern that Nigeria’s political trajectory could begin to resemble the instability currently spreading across the Sahel region.

In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Sunday Daniel, and addressed to the U.S. House of Representatives, the European Commission, and the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Nigeria Unite said the country’s democratic institutions are weakening and require urgent international attention.

“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 organizations are essential steps in this endeavour,” Daniel said.

The petition—titled “Imminent Collapse of Democracy in the Sahel Region (West Africa)”—linked its concerns to actions the group believes are undermining political competition and straining state institutions. It warned that these trends could push Nigeria toward a one-party system ahead of the 2027 elections.

Nigeria Unite compared the situation in Nigeria to developments in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, all of which have experienced significant democratic backsliding. It argued that instability in Nigeria would have “significant regional consequences.”

According to the petition, “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 group said these defections were weakening the opposition and risked turning elections into mere formalities rather than competitive democratic exercises.

It also raised concerns about internal crises within the PDP, Labour Party, and ADC, saying the conflicts further diminish the opposition’s strength. The group referenced the suspension of several PDP national officers and questioned the impact on the party’s unity.

“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 petition warned.

Nigeria Unite also criticised what it described as unequal access to public resources, saying opposition governors were unable to compete fairly under the current conditions.

On civic freedoms, the group said the political space is shrinking, leaving citizens and opposition figures vulnerable to intimidation.

“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,” it stated.

The organisation added that continued pressure on democratic structures could provoke public unrest with broader implications for the region.

“The destabilization 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 U.S., and worsen the humanitarian and security situation in the Sahel,” Daniel said.

Nigeria Unite urged international partners to strengthen support for Nigeria’s democratic processes and civil society groups, stressing that sustained engagement is crucial to preventing further deterioration.

Opinion Nigeria News