As Nigeria celebrates its 64th Independence Day, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD West Africa) has called for urgent reforms to address the country’s pressing economic and security challenges.
In a press statement released on October 1, 2024, the CDD highlighted several critical issues facing Nigeria, including economic instability, rising insecurity, and governance concerns.
Economic Turmoil
The organisation pointed out that since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took office in May 2023 and announced the removal of petrol subsidies and the floating of the Naira, the economy has been in a downward spiral. The Naira has experienced significant depreciation against major foreign currencies, leading to soaring prices of essential goods and services.
According to the CDD, 84 million Nigerians now live below the poverty line of $2 a day. The National Bureau of Statistics reported a 5.3% rise in unemployment in Q1 2024, compared to 5% in the previous quarter.
The statement also highlighted the paradox of Nigeria’s energy sector, noting that despite being one of the world’s largest crude oil producers, the country still relies heavily on fuel imports. The removal of fuel subsidies has caused petrol prices to average ₦962 per litre, significantly impacting transportation and production costs.
Security Crisis
The CDD reported that approximately 3.3 million people were displaced due to conflict and violence by the end of 2023. While commending recent operations by security forces against bandits in the North West, the organization called for more robust measures to counter violent extremism and win the hearts and minds of youth in the South-East region.
Kidnappings for ransom were described as an endemic problem affecting both rural and urban communities, leaving many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the government.
Governance and Electoral Concerns
The statement highlighted ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s political system, including corruption and flaws in the electoral process. The recent September 21 Edo State governorship election was cited as an example, where incidents of vote buying, identity-driven disinformation, and result discrepancies were observed.
Press freedom was also flagged as a concern, with Nigeria ranking 123rd out of 180 countries in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index.
Call for Action
The director of CDD, West Africa, Dr. Dauda Garuba, emphasised the need for collective action. He said that “as Nigeria navigates this difficult juncture at 64, it is imperative for Nigerians, both at home and in the diaspora, to work collectively to hold duty bearers accountable.”
The CDD called on the government to prioritize tackling corruption through an effective strategy, implementing governance and electoral reforms, strengthening institutions that promote transparency and accountability
The organisation stressed that these measures are vital safeguards for Nigeria’s democracy and its electoral process.
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