Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA has called on the Federal Government and state governments to make citizens’ welfare, security, democratic freedoms and access to essential services central to governance as Nigeria marks 66 years of independence.
The organisation said the country’s democratic progress should be measured not only by uninterrupted civilian rule since 1999, but by whether Nigerians can live safely, afford basic necessities, participate meaningfully in government and trust public institutions to serve their interests.
In a statement marking the October 1 anniversary, CAPPA acknowledged Nigerians’ resilience and the country’s progress since independence, but said many citizens continued to face poverty, food insecurity, insecurity and declining confidence in public institutions.
It urged the government to use the anniversary to confront the gap between the promises of independence and the daily realities of millions of Nigerians.
CAPPA said economic reforms should be assessed by their effects on household incomes and living conditions, rather than government revenue, investment or macroeconomic indicators alone. It called for greater attention to affordable food, living wages, decent jobs, accessible healthcare, quality education, reliable electricity, public water and social protection.
“Beyond statistics and policy announcements, Nigerians need to feel the difference in their pockets, homes, communities, workplaces and markets,” the organisation said.
The group also called for stronger electoral institutions and safeguards ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure peaceful, transparent, credible and inclusive polls.
It raised concerns about alleged vote-buying, undue influence, intimidation and other electoral offences during the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, while urging that voters be able to exercise their franchise without fear, violence or manipulation.
CAPPA called for transparency in election technology, voter registration, collation and results management, as well as timely resolution of electoral disputes. It also urged authorities to address insecurity that could prevent citizens from campaigning, reaching polling units or voting.
The organisation stressed, however, that democratic participation must extend beyond elections. It said citizens should be able to question government, demand information, organise peacefully, criticise public policy and participate in decisions affecting their lives.
It called on the government to protect freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and civic participation, including the rights of journalists, civil society organisations, workers, students and other citizens to speak and organise without intimidation.
CAPPA also urged political parties and candidates to reject ethnic and religious mobilisation, misinformation, intimidation and unfulfilled promises, and called for a peaceful and rights-respecting political environment ahead of the polls.
On security, the organisation said insurgency, kidnapping, banditry, communal violence and other threats continued to affect lives, livelihoods, education, agriculture and freedom of movement, despite gains recorded by the military and other security agencies.
It said security agencies must operate within the law and respect human rights, arguing that citizens should be protected both from violent non-state actors and unlawful abuses by state authorities.
The group further called on the Federal Government and National Assembly to strengthen public institutions, improve oversight of public expenditure, ensure transparent procurement and open contracting, and enforce anti-corruption measures.
It urged increased investment in education, healthcare, public water systems, agriculture and other essential services, warning against allowing the deterioration of public institutions to become a justification for their commercialisation or transfer to private interests.
“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 anniversary: 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.
It also urged Nigerians to participate actively in democratic life, scrutinise political promises, demand accountability from elected officials and reject attempts to divide citizens along ethnic, religious or regional lines.