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Below iis the full text of the communiqué at the end of the Emergency National Stakeholders’ Engagement on Nigeria’s 2027 Elections:
cCOMMUNIQUÉ
Emergency National Stakeholders’ Engagement on Nigeria’s 2027 Elections
Date: Monday, 25 May 2026
Venue: NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja
Theme: Actualizing Credible 2027 Elections in Nigeria
Convener: Movement for Credible Elections (MCE)
Chairperson: Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili
2027: Political Stakeholders to Engage National Assembly & INEC on Electoral Act and Guidelines for 2027 Elections
……… Set For Nationwide Mobilization on June 12 in Lagos
Background
Nigeria’s democracy has become a growing source of concern for citizens following widespread dissatisfaction with the 2026 Electoral Act enacted by the Federal Government and the Electoral Guidelines, Schedule, and Timetable issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In its ongoing intervention ahead of the 2027 General Elections, the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) observed a deepening democratic decline marked by:
- Erosion of public trust
- Rising voter apathy
- Escalating insecurity
- Deliberate destabilization of opposition parties
- Systemic exclusion of women, youth, and vulnerable groups
- Hyper‑monetized politics and restrictive electoral regulations
To halt this dangerous regression – driven by electoral manipulation and judicial interference – the MCE, a coalition of eminent civic leaders and frontline civil society organizations, convened a national emergency stakeholders’ engagement in Abuja. Participants unanimously resolved to take immediate collective action to safeguard the sanctity, integrity, and credibility of the 2027 elections.
Key Strategic Recommendations
- Fundamental Electoral Reforms
- Mandatory Electronic Transmission:
The National Assembly must urgently amend the 2026 Electoral Act to reinstate mandatory, real‑time electronic transmission of polling‑unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV). - INEC Transparency:
INEC must rebuild public trust by maintaining strict neutrality in intra‑party disputes and ensuring full transparency in all electoral operations. - Extended Voter Access:
Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) should be regular and accessible nationwide to prevent disenfranchisement of newly eligible voters. - Security Accountability:
INEC must publish a national security audit of vulnerable polling units. Results from areas disrupted by violence or lacking proper accreditation must not be validated.
- Political Party Integrity & Internal Democracy
- End Money Politics:
Political parties must drastically reduce the prohibitive cost of nomination forms, which excludes competent citizens – especially women and youth – from contesting. - Transparent Primaries:
Parties must adhere to their constitutions, end arbitrary imposition of candidates, and encourage strategic opposition coalitions to strengthen democratic competition.
- Judicial Independence & Rule of Law
- Judicial Neutrality:
The judiciary must resist political interference, fast‑track pre‑election matters within clear timelines, and end the issuance of conflicting ex parte orders that destabilize the electoral process.
- Civic Space Protection & Non‑Partisan Security
- Neutral Security Agencies:
Security institutions must remain non‑partisan and must not be weaponized against voters, activists, or opposition actors. - Protected Rights:
Constitutional freedoms – expression, peaceful assembly, and protest – must be fully guaranteed.
- Inclusive Participation of Women & Youth
- 35% Affirmative Action:
A legally backed minimum of 35% representation for women and youth in governance, party structures, and appointments must be implemented, including through reserved legislative seats. - Youth Mobilization & Protection:
Stakeholders must intensify youth civic education and criminalize targeted violence against women in politics.
- Media, Civil Society & Citizens’ Vigilance
- Democratic Vigilance Framework:
Establish an independent, citizen‑led mechanism to monitor the entire electoral cycle—from party primaries to final result declaration.
Immediate Action Plan
To actualize these resolutions, the MCE and partners will:
- Submit Reform Demands:
Deliver the above resolutions to INEC, the National Assembly, the Judiciary, and security agencies. - Build a Nationwide Coalition:
Establish a broad, multi‑sector coalition across all six geopolitical zones to mobilize citizens ahead of the 2027 elections. - Launch June 12 Mobilization:
Organize a major national mobilization on June 12, 2026, to unite Nigerians in defending the sanctity of their votes and the future of Nigeria’s democracy.
Declaration
The Citizens’ Assembly unanimously DECLARED that democracy belongs to the people of Nigeria—not the political elite. The survival of the nation and its electoral system depends on collective vigilance, solidarity, and action, not fear, distrust, or apathy.
Participation
Key participants included:
- Presidential hopefuls:
Prince Adewole Adebayo (SDP), Gov. Seyi Makinde (APM – represented), Omoyele Sowore (AAC), Peter Obi (NDC – represented), Dr. Peter Agada (LP) - Political party leaders:
Prof. Sadiq Gombe (SDP National Chairman), Deputy Chairman (AAC), and others - Civil society leaders & citizen advocates:
Pastor Ituah Ighodalo (represented), Prophet Isah El‑Buba (represented), Dr. Asmau Leo (CENGAIN), Cynthia Mbamalu (YIAGA), Dr. Tanko Yunusa (Obidient Movement), Rev. Idowu Ogedengbe - MCE Leadership:
Hon. Uche Onyeaguocha, Dr. Abduljalil Tafawa Balewa, Dr. Sam Amadi, Kenneth Eze, Engr. Bala Zakka, Chizoba Ogbeche (NAWOJ), among others
Signed:
Olawale Okunniyi (Veteran Che)
Head, National Secretariat
Movement for Credible Elections (MCE)
+2348033993867
3rd June, 2026
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