The Democracy Watch Initiative (DWI) has called on the international community, including the United States and the United Kingdom, to monitor and hold accountable individuals allegedly undermining Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
The civic group said global stakeholders have a moral and strategic interest in ensuring Nigeria’s political stability and democratic survival.
In a statement signed by its Director of Strategic Communication, Dr. Tunji O. Bamidele, the organization urged world powers to pay close attention to what it described as a growing wave of “authoritarian and destabilizing conduct” within the country’s political space.
“We implore them to hold accountable those who engage in practices that threaten peace, stability, and democratic governance,” DWI said.
The group specifically accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of actions it believes threaten democracy and weaken political institutions.
According to Bamidele, Wike has continued to “wield power to undermine the very principles he once benefited from,” adding that his recent conduct represents a disturbing pattern of intolerance toward opposition voices.
“In recent months, Wike has waged a relentless campaign against political parties. His tactics have escalated alarmingly as he now seeks to destabilize the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),” he alleged. “It is a deliberate strategy aimed at consolidating power and silencing dissent.”
Bamidele further claimed that Wike’s “tactics of division and intimidation” were designed to entrench personal influence rather than promote democratic governance, citing the Minister’s public fallout with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara as an example.
He noted that Wike’s open withdrawal of support for Fubara underscored a growing trend of political brinkmanship capable of eroding the foundations of participatory democracy.
“The systematic dismantling of political opposition not only curtails free expression but also undermines the electorate’s right to choose their representatives without fear or coercion,” the statement added.
The DWI called on both local authorities and international partners to intensify oversight and ensure that political leaders adhere to democratic norms, warning that unchecked authoritarian tendencies could jeopardize Nigeria’s long-term stability.
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