CISLAC laments collapse of accountable governance under Tinubu’s Government

By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has expressed concern over Nigeria’s democratic trajectory as the nation marks 26 years of uninterrupted civilian rule. The organisation decried what it described as a steady decline in democratic values, institutions, and accountability under the current administration.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, who attributed the weakening of democratic institutions to leadership failures, loss of public trust, rising corruption, impunity, and the erosion of civic space. The organisation noted that the increase in authoritarian tendencies, along with compromised electoral processes and political instability, has undermined citizens’ confidence in the democratic system.

CISLAC also raised concerns about the credibility of recent elections, citing instances of violence, voter suppression, financial inducements, and judicial interference. It noted that political parties have largely abandoned ideological consistency and have become tools for elite negotiations and personal advancement, rather than vehicles for national development.

The organisation called for urgent reforms in the electoral and party systems to restore public confidence and ensure free, fair, and credible elections. While acknowledging the federal government’s anti-corruption rhetoric, CISLAC observed that corruption remains widespread at the state level, where oversight and enforcement are often weak or non-existent. It therefore urged the decentralisation of anti-corruption efforts and the strengthening of state-level institutions to function with independence and integrity.

Further observations pointed to the growing challenges in the judiciary, including delayed justice delivery, conflicting rulings, and perceived political interference, which continue to weaken the rule of law. CISLAC stressed the need for judicial reforms that will promote timely and impartial adjudication of cases.

In addition, the organisation highlighted the persistent insecurity across the country and criticised the government’s failure to provide a comprehensive and coherent national security strategy. It advocated for a people-centred approach that prioritises civilian safety and addresses the root causes of conflict.

The organisation lamented the worsening economic hardship affecting millions of Nigerians, especially in the wake of the removal of fuel subsidies. It noted that despite official claims of financial savings, ordinary citizens have yet to experience any meaningful economic relief or improvement in living standards.

CISLAC condemned continued attacks on civic actors, journalists, peaceful protesters, and organisations working in the areas of human rights and accountability. It maintained that the shrinking civic space poses a serious threat to democratic sustainability and undermines the principles of free expression and participatory governance.

As Nigeria observes another Democracy Day, CISLAC urged the government to undertake far-reaching reforms that will restore the integrity of democratic governance. It emphasised that genuine democracy goes beyond the conduct of elections and must include good governance, institutional strength, protection of rights, and robust civic engagement.

The organisation noted that Nigeria’s democracy stands at a critical juncture and that deliberate policy shifts are necessary to safeguard its future. The federal government, it stressed, must act swiftly to re-establish public confidence by placing democratic values and the well-being of citizens at the heart of its governance agenda.