CAPPA to Tinubu: Nigerians Deserve More Than Elections

The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) is calling out the Tinubu administration over what it sees as a democracy that’s heavy on rituals and light on results. According to the group, Nigerians are still stuck in a cycle of poverty, insecurity, and broken systems, despite decades of civilian rule.

In a statement marking the June 12 anniversary and 26 years of uninterrupted democracy, CAPPA didn’t hold back. It said the repeated election cycles haven’t led to meaningful change. Instead, public institutions are underperforming, essential services are broken, and trust in government is eroding fast.

Their Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, pointed out that close to 130 million Nigerians are living below the poverty line in 2024, with more people likely to join them as the cost of living continues to rise. This, in a country overflowing with natural resources and talent.

CAPPA also raised concerns about the growing trend of silencing dissent. From Lagos to Ogun and even Abuja, governments are reportedly using court orders to restrict protests and shrink public expression. The group described this as a disturbing pattern that undermines democracy.

It didn’t stop there. CAPPA wants terrorism charges against young protesters dropped, especially those arrested during the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance demonstrations. According to them, free speech and peaceful assembly shouldn’t be treated like crimes.

Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, the organisation warned that partisan interference is still a threat. It called for urgent reforms to strengthen INEC’s independence, including removing the presidency’s power to appoint electoral commissioners. CAPPA said this is the only way to avoid another manipulated election cycle.

They also urged lawmakers to complete electoral and constitutional reforms in 2025, not just to beat deadlines but to ensure meaningful progress. CAPPA wants electronic result transmission to be clearly defined and implemented in real-time to rebuild trust in the system.

Their message to the Tinubu government is simple: democracy isn’t about ticking boxes every four years. It’s about giving people real reasons to believe that voting and their voices actually matter.