Nigeria’s Democracy On Life Support: Why The LPPMC Is Calling For Constitutional Disobedience
More than two decades after Nigeria transitioned to civilian rule, a growing number of voices are warning that the nation is sliding—not progressing. Among them is the Liberal Progressive & Patriotic Members Congress (LPPMC), a relatively new political movement now sounding the alarm with unsettling clarity: Nigeria has regressed into an electoral autocracy.
In a fiery communiqué released by its National Coordinator, Dr. Kingsley Okundaye, alongside 21 other national leaders, the LPPMC declares that the nation’s democracy is no longer authentic—it is cosmetic, manipulated, and, in their words, “legitimized electoral heist.”
🗳️ When Democracy Becomes a Facade
The LPPMC is not mincing words. According to the communiqué, Nigeria’s current electoral system—especially as demonstrated in the 2023 general elections—has been hijacked by a class of political actors who view elections not as an expression of the people’s will, but as a calculated game of manipulation.
Their bold assertion: the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has failed in its constitutional duty to uphold electoral integrity. And when courts reinforce these failures through questionable rulings, democracy, the Congress claims, morphs into a form of tyranny.
🔐 The Solutions: Radical, Technological, and Grassroots
Rather than just criticizing the system, the LPPMC has laid out a multipronged reform agenda:
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Biometric audit of INEC’s voter register to expose ghost voters and fraudulent entries.
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Blockchain-based voting systems to eliminate tampering and ensure transparency.
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Mandatory live streaming of results collation—every ward, every local government, every state.
To address judicial complicity in electoral injustice, the group is proposing a constitutional amendment to sanction judges who compromise fairness. Also included in their demands: a strict 90-day limit for the resolution of all election petitions.
🧭 A Nation Divided, A Democracy Delayed
Interestingly, the LPPMC also highlights something deeper than rigged ballots: structural injustice. They argue that 25 years of uninterrupted democratic rule have not healed the wounds of northern marginalization. Their solution? A bold call for constitutional recognition of power rotation—both between Nigeria’s regions and religions.
This is not just a political proposition—it’s a cultural and existential one. Nigeria, after all, is not a monolith. It is a federation of deeply distinct peoples and histories. Acknowledging this reality, the LPPMC insists, is key to restoring stability.
🌍 Grassroots Awakening & a Youth-Led Future
Perhaps most exciting is the group’s commitment to inclusive leadership and civic awareness. They are planning to launch Democracy Literacy Campaigns across all 774 local government areas to re-educate citizens on the meaning of democracy, civic responsibility, and electoral rights.
Their internal leadership model will also reflect this ethos—reserving 40% of leadership roles for women and youth. In a country where the political class is aging and mostly male, this could be a powerful differentiator.
⚠️ Deadlines, Coalitions, and a Brewing Storm
The LPPMC is not just speaking—they’re organizing. The group plans to form a 37-state Coalition for Electoral Integrity by July 1, a national alliance designed to challenge the status quo and pressure INEC into action.
They have issued the following ultimatums to INEC:
They also cite the Labour Party’s internal crises as evidence of how easily political parties can be hijacked, reinforcing their belief that Nigeria needs stronger democratic safeguards.
🧠 Conclusion: Can Constitutional Disobedience Save Nigeria?
The LPPMC’s call for “constitutional disobedience” is, on the surface, controversial. But underneath it lies a sobering truth: when institutions continuously betray the people, reforms require more than polite conversation—they require disruption.
This isn’t about anarchism. It’s about recognizing that democratic processes can become undemocratic tools in the wrong hands.
As Nigeria inches toward 2027, the real question isn’t just who will run for office—but whether the electoral playing field will still be legitimate. With movements like LPPMC entering the fray, a political reset may no longer be a dream. It might just be a revolution in slow motion.
What do you think? Is Nigeria still a democracy—or has it become a system of legalized rigging? Share your thoughts below. Let’s start the debate that could define 2027.
