June 12 Heroes Did Not Die for This, CISLAC Says as It Warns of Rising Insecurity, Poverty, Corruption
Maryam Aminu
As Nigeria commemorates Democracy Day, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has declared that the country’s democratic journey was forged through sacrifice and struggle, warning that the ideals many heroes died defending remain threatened by insecurity, poverty, corruption, and weak governance.
The organisation said June 12 stands as one of the most defining symbols of Nigeria’s democratic history, representing the courage of citizens who confronted military rule and repression in pursuit of freedom, justice, and accountable leadership.
In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, CISLAC said the occasion should serve not only as a celebration of democratic endurance but also as a moment of sober reflection on whether democracy is truly improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
“Democracy was not given; it was won,” the organisation stressed, noting that the freedoms enjoyed today were secured through the sacrifices of countless Nigerians who risked and, in many cases, lost their lives in the struggle for democratic governance.
CISLAC paid tribute to a long list of democracy advocates and social justice champions whose contributions shaped Nigeria’s political landscape.
Among those honoured were Chief MKO Abiola, Hajia Kudirat Abiola, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Balarabe Musa, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Prof. Eskor Toyo, Prof. Festus Iyayi, Comrade Chima Ubani, Barrister Bamidele Aturu, Comrade Emma Ezeazu,
Professor Abubakar Momoh, Innocent Chukwuma, Hajiya Bilikisu Yusuf, Dr. Tajudeen Abdulraheem, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, Comrade Abiodun Ogunade (Revo), and several others whose sacrifices advanced the cause of democracy and human rights.
The organisation also remembered the authors of the Minority Report of the 1978 Constitutional Conference and numerous unsung heroes whose names may never appear in history books but whose contributions helped shape Nigeria’s democratic foundation.
While acknowledging the significance of Nigeria’s 26 years of uninterrupted civilian rule, CISLAC argued that the true measure of democracy lies beyond periodic elections and peaceful transitions of power.
According to the organisation, millions of Nigerians continue to grapple with insecurity, hunger, unemployment, and inadequate access to basic services despite more than two decades of democratic governance.
It expressed concern over the worsening security situation across the country, citing terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflicts, and farmer-herder clashes as major threats to national stability and citizens’ wellbeing.
“No democracy can flourish where citizens live in fear,” CISLAC warned, calling for comprehensive security reforms anchored on intelligence gathering, accountability, professionalism, and preventive measures.
The organisation also painted a grim picture of the economic realities confronting Nigerians, pointing to rising inflation, escalating living costs, unemployment, and widening inequality as evidence that many citizens are yet to experience the dividends of democracy.
Although it acknowledged the government’s rationale for reforms such as fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange adjustments, CISLAC insisted that economic policies must be accompanied by effective social protection measures capable of cushioning the impact on vulnerable groups.
Particular concern was expressed over youth unemployment, which the organisation described as a ticking time bomb capable of fuelling insecurity, social unrest, and irregular migration if not urgently addressed.
It urged government to prioritise investments in education, entrepreneurship, industrialisation, agriculture, and skills development to unlock the enormous potential of Nigeria’s youthful population.
CISLAC further identified corruption as a persistent threat to democratic consolidation, arguing that the diversion of public resources continues to undermine development efforts and weaken public trust in government institutions.
The group called for stronger anti-corruption institutions, transparent public procurement systems, protection for whistleblowers, and a non-partisan commitment to accountability.
On the electoral front, the organisation acknowledged improvements in election management but noted that vote buying, electoral violence, low voter participation, and the growing influence of money politics remain serious concerns.
It also criticised the lack of internal democracy within political parties, warning that manipulated primaries and candidate imposition weaken democratic representation and public confidence in the political process.
CISLAC expressed concern over the state of the nation’s education and healthcare sectors, highlighting inadequate funding, deteriorating infrastructure, personnel shortages, and the growing number of out-of-school children as indicators of deeper governance failures.
The organisation equally warned against shrinking civic space and threats to judicial independence, stressing that strong institutions and respect for the rule of law remain indispensable to democratic growth.
As Nigerians celebrate Democracy Day, CISLAC urged political leaders, government institutions, civil society organisations, the media, and citizens to recommit themselves to transparency, accountability, and democratic values.
The organisation maintained that history would judge Nigeria’s democracy not by the number of elections conducted, but by its ability to guarantee security, justice, dignity, and economic opportunity for all citizens.
“For the heroes of June 12 and countless other democracy advocates, the struggle was never merely about elections; it was about building a nation where freedom, justice, and prosperity are accessible to every Nigerian,” the statement concluded.
