By Emmanuel Oloniruha
The Abuja School of Social and Political Thought (ASPT) and other electoral stakeholders have urged Nigerians to actively protect their votes during the 2027 general elections.
They made the call in Abuja during a public hearing themed, ‘2023 Presidential Election and Preparation for the 2027 General Elections.’
The Executive Director of the School, Dr Sam Amadi, said credible elections were the responsibility of all stakeholders, including political parties and civil society.
Amadi said there was a certain skepticism and despotism among citizens who voted in the last elections and felt the elections were not free and fair.
“We cannot give up the struggle for fair elections. Free and fair election is important because it helps us to have peaceful transition of government,” he said.
Amadi, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), said credible elections would strengthen democracy and reduce the likelihood of political instability.
He said that because Nigeria’s democracy was the largest in West Africa, Nigerians needed to lead efforts to protect democracy amid increasing military coups on the continent.
“It, therefore, means that all of us, politicians, activists, professionals, should at least make one commitment that we are going to have free and fair elections,” he said.
Amadi said the public hearing was convened to bring together electoral officials, security agencies, political parties, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and citizens to examine challenges from the 2023 elections.
He said the initiative was necessary because the National Assembly failed to conduct a public hearing immediately after the 2023 elections to hold key actors accountable under oath.
On preparations for the 2027 polls, Amadi urged citizens and CSOs to move from uncritical trust in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to proactive civic oversight.
He said citizens should audit and verify election processes rather than rely solely on institutional promises, while party agents should receive adequate training and technological support.
Amadi also urged citizens to recognise that votes belonged to the electorate, not political parties or electoral bodies, and should ensure that their votes counted.
The General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Afam Okeke, said democracy could not be sustained merely by conducting elections.
Okeke called for deliberate efforts by citizens and stakeholders to improve the electoral system ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, attention should be given to institutional integrity, meaningful citizen participation and evidence-based electoral reforms.
“Electoral institutions must be capable, independent and adequately resourced to discharge their responsibilities.
“Public confidence is built when institutions communicate clearly, act transparently and demonstrate accountability,” he said.
Okeke said democracy belonged to the people, stressing that citizens must not only be encouraged to vote, but must also be adequately informed, protected and given confidence that their participation mattered.
He also called for greater inclusion of women, youths, persons with disabilities and other groups facing structural barriers to participation in electoral processes.
Okeke pledged that the NBA would continue contributing to discussions on electoral reform, electoral justice and strengthening institutions responsible for safeguarding the will of Nigerians.
The Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Dr Andrew Mamedu, identified glitches experienced during the 2023 elections and voter apathy as major lessons from the polls.
Mamedu said only 27 per cent of registered voters participated in the 2023 general elections, stressing the need to restore public trust in the electoral system.
Also speaking, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku of the Nigerian Labour Congress Political Commission said the 2023 elections exposed structural, technological and administrative vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s electoral system.
Ndubuaku called for mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results, operational independence of INEC and swift prosecution of electoral offenders.
Edited by Desmond Ejibas/Francis Onyeukwu