By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for October 1, 2026, to be observed as a day of sober national reflection, arguing that Nigerians have little reason to celebrate independence while poverty, insecurity, unemployment and economic hardship continue to affect millions.

The rights group made the position in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, on Thursday, saying Nigeria’s political independence had been undermined by what it described as corruption, poor governance and the erosion of democratic values and the rule of law.

HURIWA said the country should be mourning what it called the “death of democracy and rule of law” and the loss of substantial economic independence rather than merely marking another anniversary with ceremonies and patriotic symbolism.

According to the organisation, Nigerians are facing rising costs of petrol, cooking gas, diesel, electricity and other essential commodities, while electricity supply remains inadequate and unreliable.

HURIWA also cited the National Bureau of Statistics’ Multidimensional Poverty Index, which it said found that 63 per cent of Nigerians, representing about 133 million people, were multidimensionally poor.

The organisation noted that the situation was more severe in rural communities, where the NBS recorded a multidimensional poverty rate of 72 per cent, compared with 42 per cent in urban areas.

“Independence is meaningless to a citizen who cannot afford food, secure decent employment, access reliable electricity, move freely without fear of attack or obtain justice when his or her rights are violated,” HURIWA said.

The group also linked the country’s hardship to continuing insecurity, saying Nigerians were being killed, kidnapped and displaced by terrorists, bandits and other armed groups in different parts of the country.

It accused successive administrations of failing to adequately discharge their constitutional responsibility to protect the lives and property of citizens.

HURIWA said the crisis had raised fundamental questions about the meaning of independence for ordinary Nigerians.

“Democracy cannot be reduced to periodic elections, political appointments and elaborate Independence Day ceremonies while citizens continue to struggle for basic survival,” the association said.

It argued that genuine independence must extend beyond political sovereignty to include economic freedom, social justice, security, accountable leadership, respect for human rights and adherence to the rule of law.

The organisation further warned that the widening gap between political leaders and ordinary Nigerians was weakening confidence in democratic institutions and increasing public frustration with governance.

“Nigeria must move from the celebration of independence to the delivery of freedom, justice, security, dignity and economic opportunity for its citizens,” HURIWA said.

The association called for urgent and measurable action to reduce poverty and hunger, secure communities, create jobs, improve electricity supply, strengthen public institutions and tackle corruption.

It also demanded greater transparency and accountability in the management of public resources, insisting that the country could not continue to celebrate political independence while economic deprivation and institutional failures undermine the dignity of millions.

HURIWA therefore urged Nigerians and the government to use October 1 as an opportunity for sober reflection on the state of democracy, the economy and citizens’ welfare, rather than limiting the anniversary to speeches, ceremonies and patriotic displays.