A new pan-Nigeria political coalition, Save Democracy Mega Alliance 2027 (SDMA’27), has emerged to challenge the president’s powers and demand constitutional reforms. The alliance seeks to amend the Nigerian constitution to strip the president of the power to appoint the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and heads of the Nigerian judiciary.

According to Comrade Tony Akeni Le Moin, national spokesman of the movement, “The killing of democracy in Nigeria is a task that must be stopped.” SDMA’27 has received endorsement from prominent Nigerians, including Prof. Pat Utomi, who hailed the goals of the alliance as “the next best thing to happen to Nigeria after the return to civil rule in 1999.”

“The amendment of the Nigerian constitution to divest the powers of the president on appointment of INEC chairman and commissioners by insulating the commission from the influences of the executive arm was one of the cardinal recommendations of the Justice Uwais electoral reforms report,” Prof. Utomi emphasized. “The same amendment should apply to the Nigerian judiciary which is vested with the function of post-election matters and adjudication. Transferring those powers to a clearly neutral apolitical body of statesmen is long overdue.”

SDMA’27’s mission is to “coordinate nationwide consensus building efforts integrating Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities, virile opposition political parties, labour and civil society networks, interfaith leaders of thought, pro-democracy movements and progressive Nigeria diaspora concerns into one cohesive national demand action front.”

The alliance’s roadmap includes: “To galvanize and have the above collective convoke and undertake a National Confab which will drive actions to compel the National and State Assemblies of Nigeria to amend Nigeria’s Constitution” and “To pursue with unrelenting vigour and uncompromising determination the above objectives to victory within the shortest practical time and at all cost to the vision bearers of the cause.”

As Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Those who love peace must learn to organize as effectively as those who love war.” SDMA’27 document adds, “Even if God might intervene to save Nigeria with some unforeseen colossal miracle en route 2027, He will use men to manifest it. Let us avail and position ourselves to be that breed of men tailormade and ready for His use, providence and purpose.”

SDMA’27’s determination to bring about change is unwavering. As Saidina Abu Bakar as-Siddiq, the First Caliph after the demise of Prophet Muhammad, said, “O people, I have been elected as your leader although I am not the best among you. If I am in the right, then help me. And if I am in the wrong, then set me right. Truthfulness means fulfilling the trust; while disregard for truth is tantamount to treachery.”

Will SDMA’27 succeed in its mission to reform Nigeria’s electoral process and ensure true democracy? The movement’s success depends on the collective action of Nigerians.