Ahead of next year’s general elections, the Convener of the African Renaissance movement (ARM), Dr. Aliyu Audu, has called for sustained protection of electoral choice in Nigeria, warning that democracy remains strongest when citizens are presented with genuine political alternatives.

Speaking in Abuja, Audu said democratic systems rarely fail suddenly but are more often weakened through gradual processes that narrow political competition while maintaining the outward appearance of stability.

He noted that constitutional democracy rests on the ability of citizens to freely choose among competing political options, stressing that any weakening of that space ultimately affects voters rather than political parties.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic experience since the return to civil rule in 1999, Audu described the Fourth Republic as both resilient and evolving.

He recalled that while one party dominated the political landscape for several years, the 2015 general elections marked a turning point with the country’s first peaceful transfer of power from a ruling party to the opposition.

According to him, that transition reinforced public confidence in the electoral process and demonstrated that political change remains possible when institutions function effectively and citizens trust the system.

Audu who resigned his position as the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Public Affairs observed that democratic consolidation requires constant attention, noting that political norms and institutional neutrality must be continuously protected.

He referenced political science research which identifies early warning signs of democratic decline, including reduced competitiveness, administrative imbalance, and declining public trust in institutions.

He also pointed to historical examples from parts of Africa where long-serving leaders such as Yoweri Museveni and Paul Biya began with reform agendas but later presided over systems with limited political competition.

Audu emphasised that the lesson from such cases lies in institutional processes rather than individual personalities.

Audu highlighted provisions of Nigeria’s Constitution that guarantee freedom of association and recognise political parties as essential vehicles for democratic participation stressing that these safeguards were established to promote pluralism and inclusive competition.

Audu underscored the importance of public confidence in the electoral management process, noting that trust in the system is critical to voter participation and civic engagement. He said democracy flourishes through persuasion and policy competition, not through structural exclusion.

He further warned that shrinking political space could lead to voter apathy, especially among young people, while weakening long-term democratic stability.

According to Audu, protecting political competition does not amount to endorsing any particular party but ensures fairness for all participants in the democratic process. He added that precedents set today would shape future electoral contests.

He concluded by calling for vigilance from institutions, political actors, civil society groups, and citizens to preserve Nigeria’s democratic gains, noting that electoral choice remains a constitutional right rather than a privilege.