The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has called for a return to democratic principles as it commemorates the 8th anniversary of the passing of its founding chairman, Professor Abubakar Momoh.

The tribute coincides with Nigeria’s 26th year of uninterrupted civilian rule and the second anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Professor Momoh, remembered as an “Activist-Scholar,” was celebrated for his decades-long commitment to democratic governance, civil liberties, and social justice.

His legacy, CHRICED said in a statement signed by Executive Director Comrade Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi on Tuesday, remains a guiding light for all who seek a just and accountable Nigeria.

“Eight years on, Professor Momoh’s voice still echoes in our collective struggle for a better Nigeria,” the statement reads. “He stood firmly against injustice and spoke truth to power, offering not just critique but solutions rooted in the lived realities of the people.”

Zikirullahi used the occasion to raise alarm over what it described as the steady erosion of democratic values in Nigeria, lamenting the current state of the country’s democratic institutions, particularly the National Assembly, which he accused of failing in its constitutional duties.

“Today, the executive arm dominates the political landscape, with the legislature reduced to a rubber-stamp institution and the judiciary plagued by credibility issues,” Zikirullahi said.

He cited the passage of the National Anthem Bill at the expense of more urgent legislation—such as the Electoral Reform Bill and the Food Pricing Bill—as evidence of misplaced priorities. “Of over 800 bills introduced since 2023, only 23 have been passed, most of which serve executive interests.” He noted.

The 2025 Appropriation Bill also came under fire as the CHRICED Executive Director described the budget as riddled with controversial and non-transparent projects worth trillions of naira, calling it a betrayal of public trust.

In addition to political failures, Dr. Zikirullahi spotlighted Nigeria’s worsening economic condition. Recalling Professor Momoh’s consistent warnings against adopting Western-imposed neoliberal policies, the CHRICED boss criticized the government’s continued reliance on prescriptions from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

“Fuel subsidy removal, currency floatation, and mounting debt have compounded the suffering of Nigerians,” the statement said. “Rather than adopt homegrown solutions, the government remains trapped in cycles of external dependency and elite-serving reforms.”

He also argued that the ongoing economic hardship—marked by inflation, unemployment, and deepening inequality—could have been mitigated had the government embraced the type of socially responsive governance championed by Momoh.

As Nigeria celebrates over two decades of civilian rule, CHRICED urged President Tinubu to use the occasion to reflect and redirect the course of his administration. “This moment demands leadership,” said Dr. Zikirullahi. “A leadership that listens, reforms, and recommits to the foundational ideals of democracy: rule of law, credible elections, and an engaged citizenry.”

He also called on Nigerians not to lose hope but to remain vigilant and active in defending democratic values. “Professor Momoh’s life reminds us that democracy is not a finished product but a daily struggle,” the statement concluded. “We owe it to his memory—and to our collective future—to keep that struggle alive.”