N’Delta Group Petitions Trump Over Democracy, Rights Abuses in Nigeria, Demands Stiff Action 

By Osaro Michael, Benin

The Niger Delta Movement for Coalition (NDMC), a civil society group based in Warri, Delta State, has written to U.S. President Donald J. Trump, appealing for American intervention in what it described as Nigeria’s worsening democratic and human rights situation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

In the letter, addressed through the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, the NDMC congratulated Trump on his election as the 47th President of the United States before raising alarm over electoral manipulation, judicial compromise, and suppression of opposition voices in the country.

According to the group, recent governorship elections in Edo and Rivers States were plagued by irregularities, intimidation of voters, and undue interference by the electoral body, INEC, eroding public trust in the democratic process. It also accused Nigeria’s judiciary of endorsing flawed elections, thereby weakening the rule of law and diminishing confidence in the courts.

The NDMC further alleged that opposition leaders, activists, and political parties have increasingly faced harassment, violence, and intimidation from state actors in Kaduna, Lagos, Rivers, and other states, a trend it described as “a troubling pattern of silencing dissent.”

In its appeal, the group urged the U.S. to take three key steps:

1. Impose targeted sanctions such as visa bans and financial restrictions on Nigerian officials accused of undermining democracy.

2. Support institutional reforms to strengthen INEC’s independence and restore judicial credibility.

3. Promote accountability by backing international monitoring mechanisms to hold erring officials responsible.

Highlighting the importance of U.S. involvement, NDMC argued that America’s long-standing role as a defender of global democracy gives it leverage to help Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, avoid sliding further into authoritarianism.

The coalition also disclosed plans to organize peaceful demonstrations to draw attention to the issue and amplify the voices of Nigerians demanding justice, good governance, and protection of their rights.

“The situation in Nigeria is urgent,” NDMC Chairman, Hon. Ezekiel Daniel, wrote in the letter. “We appeal to you as a global leader to stand with the Nigerian people in their quest for justice, accountability, and democracy”, he added.