Action Aid Nigeria Calls For Good Governance As The World Commemorates Day Of Democracy.

By Ferdinand Olise

The Action Aid Nigeria, has called on the government to take decisive steps towards translating the will of the masses into tangible results to ensure democracy and good governance.

The Action Aid in a statement on Monday, made the call in line with the global commemoration of the International Day of Democracy, under the theme, “From Voice to Action.”

The International Day of Democracy is celebrated around the world on 15 September each year. It was established through a resolution passed by the UN General Assembly in 2007, encouraging governments to strengthen and consolidate democracy.

Therefore, as the ActionAid Nigeria joins the global community to reflect on the state of democratic processes, and governance, its Country Director, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, said Nigeria’s democracy is at a critical juncture.

“While we have sustained a continuous civilian rule for over two and a half decades, the promise of democracy, accountability, good governance, and credible elections remains, for many, an illusion.

“This theme serves as a powerful call to move beyond merely expressing the will of the people (voice), to taking decisive steps that will into tangible results, and good governance (action).
For Nigeria, this year’s commemoration is not a theoretical exercise; it is an urgent demand for a system where the voice of the people is not just heard, but is acted upon to repair the fractures in our democracy and ensure its foundational pillars are not eroded”, he said.

He further noted that for Nigeria’s democracy to thrive, it must empower its youth and engage with their demands for good governance, stressing that, it is this generation that will either inherit a broken system, or build a more equitable one.

“On this International Day of Democracy, ActionAid Nigeria calls on all tiers of government, and stakeholders, including the judiciary, civil society, and every Nigerian citizen, to demonstrate a renewed commitment to accountability.

Dr Mamedu highlighted the recent 2025 Chandler Good Government Index, which ranked Nigeria at a dismal 116th out of 120 countries, and the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance, which places Nigeria at 33rd out of 54 African nations.

“These are not mere statistics; they are a damning indictment of a system that is failing to deliver on its most basic duties. This trust deficit is palpable, and it stems from a leadership that often operates without genuine accountability to the citizens it purports to serve.

“These figures, alongside a national unemployment rate that has remained stubbornly high, and a multi-dimensional poverty index showing that a third of our population lives in abject poverty, paint a picture of a democracy that is not delivering on its promise”, he said

On the nation’s Legislative arm, the ActionAid Nigeria also noted that the situation with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, further questions Nigeria’s rule of law and the abuse of power within the legislative arm, stating that, despite a court order, and the expiration of her six-month suspension, the National Assembly has continued to bar her from resuming her duties, citing a pending appeal.

“This deliberate obstruction of a Lawmaker’s mandate is not just an attack on an individual; it is an assault on the core tenets of representative democracy, and a clear message that dissent will not be tolerated, even when it is legally sanctioned.

“We demand the immediate reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to her senatorial seat in compliance with the Federal High Court’s judgment.

“We also call on our Judiciary to actually be the hope of the common man, and be bold and quick in giving judgements on issues that are of national interest and have bearing on interpretation of our constitution, like the case of the ability of the President to declare a State of Emergency in Rivers State and remove an elected Governor, and serving State House of Assembly Members”, he said.

The Action Aid Nigeria therefore called for a transparent governance which is accountable to the masses.

“As we confront these domestic challenges, we must draw lessons from global trends, particularly from the Gen Z-led movement for accountability and democratic reform in Nepal.

“Angered by systemic corruption and a lavish political elite, Nepalese youth took to the streets in 2025, demanding a government that serves the people rather than itself’, he said.

Dr Mamedu added that the digitally powered protests, which saw the use of social media platforms such as TikTok and Telegram for mobilisation, culminated in the resignation of the Prime Minister, and ensured a push for a new political order.