As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, a clear and present danger threatens the very soul of our nation. Systemic corruption, deeply entrenched and rapidly expanding, is transforming our democracy into a playground for the highest bidder. This is not a matter of perception; it is a stark reality confirmed by Transparency International’s latest Corruption Perceptions Index, which holds Nigeria at a stagnant 26/100, ranking us 142nd out of 182 countries. The evidence is overwhelming: the state has been captured by elite interests, leaving ordinary citizens to bear the crushing cost of institutional failure.
Recent reports from CISLAC/Transparency International Nigeria paint a picture of a nation in a deep governance crisis. The “commercialisation” of politics has reached alarming heights. The EFCC Chairman has revealed that some aspirants spent between N20 billion and N30 billion simply to secure party tickets, sums that far exceed legal limits for entire campaigns. This creates a dangerous “investment mentality” where political office is seen not as a public trust, but as a means to recoup a financial outlay through state capture.
The assault on Nigeria’s democratic institutions is multi-faceted and deeply concerning:
Abuse of Public Funds: SERAP is currently suing INEC over the alleged diversion of N800 billion in FAAC allocations by governors for campaign purposes, a case that lays bare the systemic looting of public resources for political advantage.
Impunity for “Money Politics“: INEC has failed to enforce campaign finance laws, allowing a culture of “money politics” to thrive without consequence.
Lack of Transparency: Despite the Supreme Court’s affirmation of the Freedom of Information Act, compliance remains abysmal at just 11.4%, rendering the law ineffective.
Intimidation of Citizens: Vulnerable citizens face severe intimidation and violence. Reports indicate a staggering 2.23 million kidnapping incidents, with N2.2 trillion paid in ransom, a sum that exceeds Nigeria’s entire defence budget.
While there have been legislative efforts and the EFCC recovered N1 trillion in 2024, anti-corruption agencies remain structurally dependent and subject to political interference. Furthermore, Nigeria still lacks a comprehensive whistle-blower protection law, leaving courageous citizens who dare to expose wrongdoing vulnerable to retaliation.
This is the moment for every Nigerian, at home and in the diaspora, to join the movement to #SaveNigeriaDemocracy. We cannot remain silent as the foundations of our republic are eroded by a political class that treats public office as a business venture. Nigeria’s governance system is in “intensive care,” and only a united citizenry can demand the accountability, transparency, and justice needed to rescue our nation from this cycle of corruption. The time to act is now, before the 2027 elections cement this capture for a generation.
We also issue an urgent call to the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and other democratic nations. We acknowledge the support you have provided, but the moment requires more than passive observation. The days of election observers arriving and departing with polite, toothless reports must end. We need concrete, robust, and fierce action to confront the forces strangling Nigerian democracy.
Our captors must not be given safe haven. Wealthy nations have a moral duty to ensure their financial systems are not used as repositories for stolen wealth. We call on the international community to stand at the forefront of this campaign, not as passive spectators, but as active partners in the fight for justice and democratic renewal. This requires immediate and tangible measures:
- Seize the assets of corrupt leaders and their enablers.
- Ban them from accessing medical treatment abroad.
- Impose travel bans and visa restrictions on those who have stolen from our commonwealth.
Let us unite. Let us build. Let us save Nigeria.
Ogbevire Christian Ashaiku
Human Rights Activist
PhD Law Research Fellow, Middlesex University, London
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