A political summit that attracted over 600 participants and delegates from across the country, has called for strong reforms to eliminate a situation where electoral outcomes are effectively determined in courts rather than at polling units.
The summit was convened by the National Consultative Front (NCFront) in conjunction with the Labour & Civil Society Front (LCSF), under the theme: “Critical & Mandatory Constitutional Amendments for Credible Elections in 2027.”
The well attended event brought together representives from different spectrum of stakeholders which included; government, the private sector, civil society, academia, and political parties.
This was contained in a communique issued on Friday by James Ezema, Media Coordinator, Steering council, Movement for credible Elections, MCE.
The summit held on Tuesday, at the conference Hall, Nicon luxury Hotel, Abuja, also attracted goodwill messages and keynote interventions from past Nigeria leaders like former President Goodluck Jonathan; former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf; former governors, and other prominent Nigerians.
The summit was conceived as a platform for diverse political stakeholders of Nigeria to examine and reach consensus on essential constitutional amendments needed to perfect Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It also sought to launch a formidable, citizens-led national movement as an inclusive platform for political stakeholders—including government institutions, the private sector, and citizens—to engage and proffer enduring panacea to Nigeria’s electoral crises and threats to national security.
The summit noted that government’s laxity and insensitivity in protecting citizens’ lives have emboldened banditry and terrorism, inadvertently prompting external interventions—such as the one by the United States—since sovereignty is not absolute in international relations.
Also, the stakeholders emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive political party reforms, alongside efforts to reform INEC, noting that political parties serve as the primary training grounds for political leaders and public officials.
The summit called for all stakeholders to intensify efforts to eliminate election rigging—along with its associated practices of inducement, fraud, and manipulation—which continue to undermine Nigeria’s electoral integrity and government legitimacy in Nigeria.
Furthermore, the summit recommended that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be equipped and empowered to enjoy full financial autonomy by receiving its allocation directly from the federation account, in full and on schedule, without interference from any arm of government.
“INEC should operate an open budget system and work closely with the organized civil society to enhance transparency and accountability in its operations.
Read also:
- 2027: Ekeremor must produce next Bayelsa West senator, ex-presidential aide declares
- 2027 Polls: Groups unveil ‘Team Tinubu 2027’ to drive grassroots movement
- Groups urge Senator Barau Jibrin to join 2027 Governorship race in Kano
“INEC should be constitutionally empowered to prosecute electoral offenders independently, rather than relying solely on the police or the attorney-general of the federation.
“Early voting, diaspora voting, electronic voting, and real-time electronic transmission of results should be made legally mandatory to reduce or eradicate manipulation and circumvention of election results.
“INEC’s recruitment processes should be insulated from the Executive. The appointment of INEC national and state leadership should be handled by broad mix of established stakeholders and not the executive.
“Strong reforms should be pursued to eliminate the current aberration, where electoral outcomes are effectively determined in courts rather than at polling units,” the communique said.
The summit further agreed on the necessity to unbundle INEC to improve electoral administration, and to create constitutionally guaranteed special seats for women and other vulnerable groups.
It also launched the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE), a new citizens’ mass movement ahead of the 2027 elections with an interim steering leadership constituted to mobilize Nigerians to end election rigging and manipulation in Nigeria once and for all.
