Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria have sounded the alarm over alleged leadership failures, claiming the nation is on the verge of collapse. In a statement titled “A Call to Action by Nigerian Civil Society Organisations”, 52 groups condemned worsening insecurity, economic hardship, corruption, shrinking civic space, and erosion of democratic institutions.

The CSOs highlighted attacks in Borno, Plateau, Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, and Benue, which have claimed lives and led to widespread abductions. They also noted that rising fuel prices, food costs, and poor infrastructure have intensified the suffering of millions of Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty.

“Across the country, citizens count losses while politicians trade rhetoric,” the statement read. “Public services falter, inequality grows, and ordinary citizens become poorer while politicians get richer from larger allocations.”

The groups demanded urgent government action, including economic relief, improved national security, anti-corruption measures, and protection of civic and political freedoms ahead of the 2027 elections. They warned that manipulation of political systems and judicial interference threatens Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director of CISLAC, explained that CSOs were compelled to intervene due to deteriorating governance, insecurity, and collapsing infrastructure, especially in the power sector. He stressed the importance of fair and credible elections, urging INEC to resist external pressures and ensure all political parties have a level playing field.

Political analyst Dr. Seyid Hassan Cisse of Kwara State University described the economic hardship as unjustifiable, particularly with elections approaching. He called for deliberate government intervention to cushion citizens from rising petrol and consumer prices, while also addressing security challenges to ensure safe participation in the electoral process.

The CSOs concluded that leadership cannot continue politicking while Nigerians face hunger, insecurity, and hopelessness. “Every Naira of public money must be felt in the life of the ordinary citizen; anything less is betrayal,” the statement emphasised.