CAPPA Calls For Improved Living Conditions As Nigeria Marks 66th Independence

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President Bola Tinubu

Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the Federal Government and state governments to strengthen democratic governance and improve living conditions as Nigeria marks its 66th Independence anniversary.

In a statement issued and signed by its Media and Communications Officer, Robert Egbe, CAPPA said the anniversary should provide an opportunity to assess Nigeria’s progress since independence and address challenges affecting citizens.

The organisation acknowledged the resilience of Nigerians and the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999, but said the success of democracy should also be measured by citizens’ access to security, economic opportunities, basic services and accountable public institutions.

CAPPA said many households were still facing poverty, food insecurity and pressure on their incomes despite government efforts focused on economic reforms and stabilisation.

It cited figures attributed to the International Monetary Fund, saying 63 per cent of Nigerians were living below the national poverty line, while an estimated 27 million Nigerians faced food insecurity in late 2025.

The organisation urged the government to prioritise affordable food, implementation of a living wage, decent employment, accessible healthcare, quality education, reliable electricity, public water supply and social protection.

According to CAPPA, economic reforms should ultimately be assessed by their impact on household incomes, living standards, employment opportunities and vulnerable citizens.

On the 2027 general elections, the organisation urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure peaceful, transparent, credible and inclusive elections.

INEC has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while the governorship and State House of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027, according to CAPPA.

The organisation also called for greater transparency in election technology, voter registration, collation and results management, as well as timely resolution of electoral disputes.

CAPPA said democracy should extend beyond elections, stressing the importance of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, access to information and civic participation.

It urged government to protect journalists, civil society organisations, workers, students and other citizens exercising their civic rights.

The organisation also called for a peaceful and inclusive political environment ahead of the 2027 elections, while urging political parties and candidates to avoid ethnic and religious mobilisation, misinformation and intimidation.

On security, CAPPA said insecurity remained a major challenge affecting communities, livelihoods, education, agriculture and freedom of movement.

It urged security agencies to operate within the law and respect human rights, saying citizens should be protected from both violent non-state actors and unlawful abuses by state authorities.

CAPPA further called on the Federal Government and National Assembly to strengthen public institutions through effective oversight of public expenditure, transparent procurement, open contracting and enforcement against corruption.

The organisation also urged increased investment in education, healthcare, public water systems, agriculture and other essential services.

As part of its recommendations, CAPPA identified five priority areas: strengthening the electoral system ahead of 2027, protecting civic and democratic freedoms, making citizens’ welfare a key measure of economic policy, rebuilding public services and infrastructure, and developing a security system that protects lives, livelihoods and rights.

The organisation also urged Nigerians to participate actively in democratic processes, scrutinise political promises, demand accountability from elected officials and reject attempts to divide citizens along ethnic, religious or regional lines.

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