Renowned activist Aisha Yesufu has decried the lack of credibility in Africa’s electoral systems, calling it a “civilian coup” when political mandates are stolen from the people. Speaking at ICAD 2025 panel session on the theme “The African Path to Electoral Integrity: Rethinking Elections Through Afro Best Practices”, Yesufu emphasized that democracy begins with a free, fair, and violence-free electoral process.

“When elections are rigged, it’s no different from a civilian coup. The people lose their power, and we begin to see impunity thrive,” she said.

Yesufu lamented that Nigeria’s institutions, particularly the judiciary, have become complicit in undermining democracy. She cited the alarming trend of judicial shopping, where litigants bypass local jurisdictions to seek favorable rulings in distant states.

“Today, people leave places like Agbede in Edo State to file cases in Jigawa, all in search of biased judgments. Even when courts issue rulings, they sometimes merely give opinions rather than clear, categorical judgments,” she stated, referencing discrepancies in high-profile rulings like that of Natasha Akpoti.

The activist stressed that such failures in the judicial and electoral systems are signs of deep institutional capture. According to her, reforms must be comprehensive, extending beyond elections to restoring citizen agency and strengthening all arms of government.

“The judiciary is no longer the last hope of the common man. It now bows to corrupt politicians,” she said. “But no Nigerian is more Nigerian than another. We must rise together to reclaim our democracy.”

After months of protests, petitions, and growing tension among thousands of unpaid N-Power beneficiaries, the Nigerian government has now confirmed its intention to clear the N81 billion owed in backlogged stipends. The Senate, following a closed-door meeting held on Tuesday, revealed that payment plans are already being set in motion, bringing renewed hope to many young Nigerians who served under the N-Power programme between 2022 and 2023.

This development came after Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin convened a dialogue between federal officials and legal representatives of the aggrieved beneficiaries. The meeting resulted in an agreement that payments would begin soon, prompting the suspension of planned legal action against the government.

What’s the N-Power Programme?

The N-Power programme is one of Nigeria’s major youth empowerment initiatives introduced in 2016 to tackle youth unemployment and develop a skilled workforce. Managed under the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), N-Power offers temporary work placements in sectors like education, health, agriculture, and digital services. Beneficiaries are mostly young graduates who receive monthly stipends while gaining work experience to improve their employability.

However, in recent years, the programme has struggled with funding issues, poor communication, and delays in stipend payments, resulting in widespread dissatisfaction and protests.

How the N81bn Backlog Came About

The N81 billion backlog is a result of unpaid allowances from 2022 and 2023. While the funds were supposedly captured in the national budgets for those years, they were never disbursed. The matter worsened when the 2024 and 2025 budgets failed to include provisions for these outstanding payments. This created a financial and emotional burden for many beneficiaries, some of whom relied solely on the stipends to survive.

The delay sparked protests, legal threats, and public outcry, as many believed they had been abandoned by the same government programme they faithfully served under.

What the Federal Government Is Saying

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who played a key role in mediating between both parties, confirmed that the government is now actively working to resolve the issue. According to him, the government has shown a clear willingness to pay and has secured approval through the service-wide vote system.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, further explained that the arrears were carried over from previous years and left unfunded. He acknowledged the government’s debt to the beneficiaries and promised that the matter will be settled within the current fiscal year.

Legal counsel to the beneficiaries, Abba Hikima, and the group’s chairman, Kehinde James, both confirmed the government’s commitment and appreciated the Senate’s intervention, which led to the suspension of any further legal action.

What’s the Schedule for Payment?

While no specific date has been announced, government officials have indicated that payments will begin once the 2025 budget implementation kicks off. This suggests that disbursement of funds is expected within the 2025 fiscal year, most likely before the end of the year.

For many affected N-Power beneficiaries, this update marks a turning point and offers a glimmer of hope after years of silence and frustration. The government has reiterated its stance that no one will be denied their rightful dues, especially under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.