Nigeria Ready For Electoral Reforms

 LEADERS URGE TINUBU TO REFORM ELECTORAL ACT, WARN AGAINST COMPLACENCY IN NIGERIA'S DEMOCRACY

By Ibrahim Kabir Umar – Reporting from Abuja, Nigeria

Prominent Nigerians, including former Minister of Transportation Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, Prince Adewole Adebayo, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, and Prof. Ike Ikechukwu, have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to urgently revisit and reform the Electoral Act 2022 ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The call was made during the National Electoral Reform Summit held in Abuja, organized by the Civil Society of Nigeria, under the leadership of Prof. Pat Utomi and Comrade Okuniyi (Veteran Che).

The summit, themed “Reforming the 2022 Electoral Act for Quality Leadership and Good Governance,” emphasized the urgent need to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral framework to guarantee credible elections, accountable governance, and the deepening of democracy.

Speakers at the event cautioned against complacency, warning that without reforms, Nigeria risks further erosion of democratic values and increased electoral manipulation.

Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, in his remarks, underscored that electoral reforms are fundamental to democratic progress. He urged Nigerians to rise collectively and reclaim the nation from “low-capacity leaders who are blind to the suffering of the people.”

Prince Adewole Adebayo, a presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, warned that without genuine reforms, the 2027 elections could be compromised, describing complacency as “the greatest enemy of democracy.”

Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, former Minister of Education and governance advocate, called for far-reaching provisions that promote transparency, accountability, and inclusivity, including public participation in the appointment of the INEC Chairman. She emphasized that the commission must become truly independent to ensure credibility in the electoral process.

Prof. Ike Ikechukwu added that “quality leadership begins with free, fair, and transparent elections,” urging the Tinubu administration to prioritize reforms and proffer homegrown solutions to Nigeria’s challenges, including insecurity. He also referenced international concerns, citing global attention on Nigeria’s internal stability.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Pat Utomi explained that the summit was convened to “galvanize national action for electoral reforms that can deepen democracy and enhance good governance.”

The event also featured Lady Patient Keys, a US-based Nigerian activist and former Edo State Governorship Aspirant, who advocated for diaspora voting rights, urging Nigeria to adopt real-time electronic voting and result transmission systems similar to those used in the United Kingdom, China, and the United States.

Political figures and civil society representatives, including Comrade Yunusa Tanko (representing Peter Obi), Comrade Peter Ameh, and Alhaji Dantalle, joined the call for a truly independent INEC.

Youth leaders such as Dr. Barry Avotu Johnson 1st, Comrade Ayo Egedengbe Monday, and others from across the country emphasized that the reformation of the Electoral Act must be inclusive of youth participation, describing it as essential for achieving credible and progressive elections.

The summit concluded with a communiqué calling on the Tinubu-led administration to expedite amendments to the Electoral Act to ensure:

. Independent candidacy in elections

. Electronic transmission of results

. Enhanced transparency and accountability mechanisms

. Greater inclusion of marginalized and youth groups

Participants vowed to sustain the advocacy for electoral reforms, reaffirming that quality leadership and good governance can only thrive on the foundation of credible elections.