The Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro) has issued a strong warning to the European Union (EU) and other international actors against intervening in Nigeria’s democratic framework, particularly targeting the electoral system, judiciary, and legislative bodies.
In a discussion with LEADERSHIP, PeacePro’s executive director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, emphasized that Nigeria must chart its own democratic course free from external pressures or influence.
He criticized recent appeals from the EU Mission advocating for reforms in Nigeria’s electoral and judicial sectors, describing such demands as unwarranted interference in the nation’s sovereign affairs.
“While it is acceptable for global partners to exchange knowledge and offer assistance when requested, imposing reforms on Nigeria’s electoral, judicial, or legislative institutions is unacceptable. Democracy devoid of sovereignty is merely an illusion,” Hamzat remarked.
He voiced alarm over the growing tendency of foreign entities to overreach by leveraging policy recommendations, legislative lobbying, and judicial interventions to steer Nigeria’s internal governance.
According to Hamzat, this pattern not only threatens Nigeria’s dignity but also erodes its autonomy.
“International actors have moved beyond providing technical aid; they now aim to influence our domestic affairs to align with their own agendas. Such persistent meddling endangers Nigeria’s sovereignty and national security,” he warned.
Hamzat underscored that authentic reforms must emerge organically within Nigeria, reflecting its distinct political, social, and cultural context. He urged Nigerian leaders to stand firm against foreign manipulation and safeguard the independence of the country’s institutions.
He also called on civil society groups and the general populace to stay alert, cautioning that unchecked foreign fixation on Nigeria’s democratic and governance mechanisms could jeopardize the nation’s long-term peace and stability.
“Our internal matters must be zealously protected. Sovereignty is inviolable, and no nation should relinquish control of its democracy to external forces,” he concluded.
