The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has issued a strong rebuke of Nigeria’s democratic trajectory under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, warning that the apparent erosion of democratic values undermines the legacy of the late Professor Abubakar Momoh a revered scholar, activist, and staunch advocate of good governance.

In a statement commemorating the 8th anniversary of Professor Momoh’s passing and the 26th anniversary of Nigeria’s return to civilian rule, CHRICED’s Executive Director, Comrade Dr. Ibrahim Zikirullahi, expressed deep concern over the decline of key democratic tenets, including the rule of law, the separation of powers, and public accountability.

“The executive branch has overwhelmed the other arms of government,” Zikirullahi said. “The legislature has been reduced to a rubber-stamp, while the judiciary is plagued by a series of questionable rulings.”

He lamented that the National Assembly once considered the people’s institution has become an extension of the executive, often prioritising political expediency over the needs of ordinary Nigerians.

CHRICED cited the swift passage of the National Anthem Bill as a case in point, contrasting it with the prolonged delay of more impactful bills such as the Food Pricing Bill and the Electoral Reform Bill.

“In two years, only 23 out of over 800 proposed bills have been enacted, the majority of which align with the executive’s interests rather than those of the populace,” the organisation noted.

The group also criticised the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, warning that the continued embrace of neoliberal reforms often driven by global financial institutions is deepening poverty and inequality across the country.

“Professor Momoh believed in development that centres the well-being of the people,” Zikirullahi stated. “He championed policies rooted in social justice and called for robust safety nets to mitigate the harsh effects of economic restructuring.”

As Nigeria marks 26 years of unbroken democratic rule, CHRICED called on President Tinubu to honour Professor Momoh’s vision by reaffirming a commitment to genuine democratic governance.

“For millions of Nigerians grappling with unemployment, inflation, insecurity, and deepening economic distress, democracy remains an unfulfilled promise,” the statement read.

The organisation decried the shrinking civic space, the lack of credible elections, and the commodification of justice, warning that the country risks sliding further away from the democratic ideals it embraced in 1999.

“Professor Momoh’s legacy stands as a beacon reminding us that democracy demands vigilance, integrity, and an unyielding commitment to justice,” Zikirullahi concluded.