This post has already been read at least 11288 times!

In a bold move to shape Nigeria’s democratic future, an array of eminent national leaders, former top office holders, and civil society advocates have set a fresh agenda for sweeping electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.

This followed a Pan-Nigerian Multi-Stakeholders Webinar on Electoral Reforms convened on October 1, 2025, to commemorate Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary under the theme “Critical & Mandatory Constitutional Amendments for Credible Elections in 2027.”

The high-level national dialogue, which was both virtual and physical, was chaired by former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, with former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, GCON, delivering the keynote address.

Among those invited as Special Guests were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Electoral Reforms, and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alongside a wide range of political and civil society stakeholders.

The colloquium, jointly facilitated by the National Consultative Front (NCFront) and the Labour & Civil Society Front (LCSF) in partnership with the National Electoral Reforms Coalition (NERCO) and Partners for Electoral Reforms, brought together prominent figures including Mr. Peter Obi, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Prof. Pat Utomi, Dr. Usman Bugaje, Amb. Nkoyo Toyo, Veteran Olawale Okunniyi, Alhaji Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, Prince Adewole Adebayo, and Dr. Gbenga Olawepo, among others.

According to the communiqué signed by Mallam Hamisu San Turaki, spokesperson for the conveners, the participants identified several “critical and mandatory reforms” necessary for credible and transparent elections in 2027.

Key Areas of Reform

The meeting focused on six major reform areas requiring urgent action.

First, the leaders called for a shift from what they described as “perpetual advocacy without action” to mass mobilization for electoral accountability and vote defense.
According to the communiqué, “Our main strategy must move away from demanding reforms from governments that have no incentive to reform the system, to mobilizing citizens to defend their votes and demand accountability.”

Second, they emphasized mandatory electronic transmission of election results, calling for increased dependence on technology.

“Machines cannot be altered except through collusion or deliberate manipulation,” participants observed, adding that transparency in result transmission is key to restoring voter confidence.

Third, Mr. Peter Obi, in his intervention, drew parallels with Ghana’s constitution and urged Nigeria to adopt clear legal provisions to curb political defections.

He insisted that “there must be clear constitutional rules to stop elected officials from defecting from the political party under which they were elected.”

Fourth, the forum condemned the rising partisanship within INEC, urging that “all officials of INEC with identifiable political loyalties should be relieved of their duties within the next few months” to restore public trust in the commission’s neutrality.

Fifth, participants expressed strong concerns over the growing tendency to resolve elections in courtrooms rather than at the ballot box.

“The overuse of courts to settle electoral disputes must be reviewed. Only special election matters should reach the courts. The people’s votes must be allowed to speak clearly,” the communiqué stated.

Other reform proposals included the transparent appointment of the INEC Chairman, direct funding of INEC from the Federation Account, professionalization and training of INEC staff, strict timelines for resolving electoral disputes, and restructuring of political parties to sanitize Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.

Civil Society Urged to Go Beyond Advocacy

The forum tasked civil society organizations to move from mere advocacy to “issue-based activism that collaborates with major political formations while maintaining non-partisanship.”

The communiqué declared that “this initial meeting was an issues-identification colloquium, and the next phase — the National Political Summit on Electoral Reforms — will concretize the formation of a broad-based National Movement for Electoral Reforms for Credible Elections in 2027.”

This landmark summit has been scheduled for Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in Abuja, and is expected to draw over 500 participants, including high-profile political leaders, party executives, lawmakers, and representatives of organized labour and civil society.

A Call for INEC Accountability

The communiqué further stressed the need for INEC to justify the immense resources invested in Nigeria’s electoral processes.
“It is the duty of INEC to defend its operations within the law that established it,” the statement emphasized, “and not for contestants to prove or explain INEC’s commission and omissions.”

The leaders underscored that credible elections are the foundation of Nigeria’s unity and stability.
They noted that unless Nigeria undertakes urgent electoral reforms, the credibility of the 2027 general elections — and by extension, public confidence in democracy — could be gravely undermined.

As the communiqué concluded, “The struggle for credible elections is not for politicians alone; it is a national responsibility. Every Nigerian must rise to defend the sanctity of the ballot.”

Next Steps

The National Political Summit on Electoral Reforms will serve as the launchpad for a National Movement for Electoral Reforms, which will drive sustained advocacy, citizen mobilization, and institutional accountability towards ensuring credible elections in 2027.

In the words of the conveners, “The Abuja summit will consolidate national consensus on the path to credible elections. The time for Nigeria to fix its electoral process is now.”

This post has already been read at least 11288 times!