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…As Utomi, Bugaje, Falana, Ezekwesili, Waaba, Toyo, Magoro, Briggs, Ene Obi, Others Lead Charge for Reforms

A powerful new national movement aimed at rescuing Nigeria’s 2027 general elections from rigging, manipulation and instability was formally launched yesterday in Abuja, as eminent statesmen, frontline activists, former presidential candidates and leading civil society figures converged on the National Political Summit 2025 to demand sweeping constitutional reforms and accountability in the country’s electoral system.

The high-stakes gathering, convened by the National Consultative Front (NCFront) in collaboration with the Labour & Civil Society Front (LCSF), drew more than 600 stakeholders from government, political parties, labour, academia, the private sector, and the diaspora. Held under the theme “Critical & Mandatory Constitutional Amendments for Credible Elections in 2027,” the summit signalled what organizers described as a “final citizens’ push” to overhaul Nigeria’s troubled electoral framework.

Goodwill messages and keynote interventions poured in from across Nigeria’s political spectrum, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, former presidential candidate Peter Obi, Summit LOC Chairman Prof. Pat Utomi, Keynote Speaker Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero, former presidential candidate Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, and a host of other dignitaries and democracy advocates.

In a communique issued at the end of the summit, and signed by Media Coordinator of the Steering Council of the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE), participants warned that Nigeria is “speeding towards another cycle of electoral chaos” unless urgent structural and constitutional reforms are enacted ahead of the 2027 polls.

They also drew attention to the recent caution issued by U.S. President Donald Trump over Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, describing it as an indictment of government’s failure to protect citizens and a sign that Nigeria’s sovereignty “cannot be taken for granted in global security relations.”

KEY CONCERNS: INSECURITY, RIGGING, WEAK INSTITUTIONS

Stakeholders unanimously condemned what they termed “government’s dangerous complacency” towards insecurity, saying the failure to protect lives has emboldened banditry, terrorism and external interference.

The summit also stressed the urgent need for deep political party reforms, insisting that Nigeria cannot achieve credible elections if political parties “remain undemocratic, prebendal, and lacking internal discipline.”

On election rigging—which participants described as the “mother of all Nigerian crises”—the summit called for decisive action to abolish vote-buying, manipulation, inducement, and falsification of results. Rigging, they argued, is the root of national instability, poor governance, corruption and widespread public distrust.

MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS: AUTONOMOUS INEC, E-VOTING, END TO COURT-DETERMINED ELECTIONS

The communiqué listed far-reaching recommendations, including:

• Full financial autonomy for INEC, with direct statutory allocations from the Federation Account, free from executive control.

• Mandatory open-budget practices and institutionalized partnership between INEC and civil society to ensure transparency.

• Constitutional power for INEC to prosecute electoral offenders, ending reliance on the Police or Attorney-General.

• Legalization of early voting, diaspora voting, electronic voting, and real-time electronic transmission of results, to eliminate manipulation.

• A new multi-stakeholder process for appointing INEC national and state leadership, insulated from the Executive.

• Radical reform to end the era where courts—not polling booths—determine electoral winners, which participants described as “an aberration threatening democracy.”

• Special constitutionally guaranteed seats for women and vulnerable groups, to correct long-standing underrepresentation.

• Amendment of the burden of proof in election petitions, shifting responsibility from candidates to INEC.

The summit strongly backed proposals to unbundle INEC and restructure electoral administration to improve efficiency, professionalism and public confidence.

A NEW MOVEMENT IS BORN: THE MOVEMENT FOR CREDIBLE ELECTIONS (MCE)

In what participants hailed as a historic decision, the summit formally launched the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE)—a broad, citizens-driven national coalition tasked with mobilizing Nigerians to end rigging, manipulation and judicial usurpation of electoral mandates.

A powerful Interim Steering Council—comprising eminent national figures—was unveiled to lead the movement.

Members include:

1. Prof. Pat Utomi – Chairman

2. Comrade Ayuba Wabba – Co-Chair

3. Hon. Dr. Usman Bugaje – Deputy Chairman (North)

4. Amb. Nkoyo Toyo – Deputy Chairman (South)

5. Barr. Femi Falana, SAN – Legal Counsel

6. Senator Shehu Sani – Member

7. Dr. Bilikisu Magoro – Member

8. Comrade Ene Obi – Member

9. High Chief Peter Ameh – Member

10. Comrade Alex Adum – Member

11. Lady Ankio Briggs – Member

12. Comrade Promise Adewusi, mni – Director of Administration

13. Comrade Chris Uyot – Director of Mobilization

14. Mallam Hamisu San Turaki – Director of Mobilization

15. Deacon Chris Iyovwaye – Director of Finance

16. Prince Chris Azor – Director of Mobilization

17. Comrade Mark Adebayo – Director of Mobilization

18. Prof. Mustapha Nwaokobia, Jnr. – Director of Communications

19. Peter Randy Akah – Director of Publicity

20. Comrade James Ezema – Media Coordinator

21. Comrade Kamal Yusuf Ahmed – Youth Coordinator

22. Comrade Hauwa Mustapha – Deputy Head of Secretariat

23. Veteran Olawale Okunniyi – Head of Secretariat

The Steering Council includes Directors of Administration, Mobilization, Finance, Communications, Publicity, Youth Engagement and Secretariat Management—reflecting what organizers describe as “a mass movement structured for nationwide penetration.”

CONSENSUS: NIGERIA MUST REFORM NOW OR RISK COLLAPSE

Across keynote speeches, panel sessions and breakout groups, the message was consistent: Nigeria cannot survive another round of flawed elections.
Stakeholders insisted that credible elections remain the only legitimate pathway to national security, stability and economic recovery.

They also urged diplomatic engagement with the United States “on the basis of mutual respect,” warning that Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation could embolden further external interventions if left unaddressed.

The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE), according to organizers, will immediately begin nationwide mobilization, enlightenment campaigns and citizen action to pressure government, the National Assembly and INEC to implement the proposed reforms.

With the 2027 elections just 15 months away, the Abuja summit may go down as the loudest and most coordinated civic demand for electoral justice in recent Nigerian history.

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