Former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Sam Egwu, has urged Nigerians not to limit their civic duty to casting ballots ahead of the 2027 general elections. Instead, he called on the public to actively demand accountability from the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Egwu made these remarks in Abuja during the 20th anniversary gala and lecture of the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education, according to Vanguard News. Delivering a lecture on reclaiming civic space and democratic accountability, he warned that restrictions on media freedom, shrinking public spaces, and declining accountability pose serious dangers to the nation's democratic governance.
The former electoral official noted that the optimism surrounding Nigeria's transition to civil rule in 1999 has faded due to growing pressure on fundamental democratic freedoms. Egwu insisted that citizens must actively question official actions every day rather than remaining passive until election cycles arrive.
He also raised concerns regarding major economic decisions carried out by the current administration, specifically mentioning the removal of fuel subsidy, foreign exchange unification, electricity tariff adjustments, and the new tax framework. Egwu pointed out that such choices require clear justification to ensure public welfare is genuinely prioritized.
Also speaking at the event, CHRICED board member and event chairman Dr. Dayo Olaide stated that protecting democracy demands collective involvement. He maintained that democracy requires people to speak out and verify that the public will is genuinely represented at the polls.
Executive Director of CHRICED, Comrade Ibrahim Zikirullahi, highlighted the body's two-decade history of fighting civic exclusion and pushing for fair public services. During the ceremony, the organisation also presented two new publications highlighting its civic interventions from 2020 through 2026.
