Human Rights Foundation Labels Nigeria ‘Fully Authoritarian’ in New Assessment

The Human Rights Foundation has classified Nigeria as a fully authoritarian regime in a new assessment of electoral competition, freedom of dissent and institutional accountability. The report alleges that the 2023 election was marred by violence, disenfranchisement, irregularities and delayed result transmission. It also says opposition parties face an uneven playing field, while executive influence has weakened the independence of electoral institutions. The foundation further cited arrests of journalists and protesters, prosecutions linked to online criticism, restrictions on critical broadcasts and alleged excessive force during the #EndBadGovernance protests. It argues that the judiciary, legislature and security agencies have not provided effective checks on executive power. Nigeria has had uninterrupted civilian rule since 1999, but the report says corruption, patronage politics, insecurity and impunity have continued to erode democratic institutions. The Nigerian government has previously rejected similar international criticisms of its human rights and electoral record.

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