By CHARLES IWUOHA

A political summit that attracted over 600 participants and delegates across the country has called for strong reforms to eliminate the current aberrations where electoral outcomes are effectively determined in courts rather than at polling units.

The Pan-Nigerian Summit on Political Reforms 2025 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 representatives from different broad spectrum of stakeholders which include; government, the private sector, civil society, academia, political parties.

The summit held on Tuesday, November 11, at the Conference Hall, Nicon Luxury Hotel, Tafawa Balewa, Abuja, also attracted goodwill messages and keynote interventions from past Nigerian leaders. They include former President Goodluck Jonathan; former Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf; former Governor Rotimi Amaechi; former presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi; Summit LOC Chairman Prof. Pat Utomi; former Minister and Keynote Speaker Dr. Oby Ezekwesili; NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero; former presidential candidate Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim; Lead Speaker Prince Adewole Adebayo, Esq; former NIDO Chairperson, Mrs. Patience Ndidi Key; Senator Shehu Sani; Senator Ikechukwu Obiora; Lead Speaker Professor Okey Okechukwu; IPAC Chairman Alhaji Mamman Yusuf Dantalle; Dr. Bilikisu Magoro; High Chief Peter Ameh; and Veteran Olawale Okunniyi (Secretary, LOC), among others.

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.

Part of the communique issued on Friday by Comrade James Ezema, Media Coordinator, Steering Council, Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) reads: ?To this end, Summit Keynote discussions squarely focused the implications of the recent warning of United States President, Donald Trump, concerning Nigeria?s unabated insecurity, and the urgent need for a credible electoral framework as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections.

?Observations and Suggestions

?Panelists, delegates, and stakeholders at the summit made several critical observations and far-reaching suggestions with significant potential to enhance national stability and improve the country?s electoral integrity as follows:

?Security and Sovereignty:

?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.

?Political Party Reform:

?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.

?Tackling Election Rigging:

?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.

?Financial Autonomy for INEC:

?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.

?Open Budget Framework:

?INEC should operate an open budget system and work closely with the organized civil society to enhance transparency and accountability in its operations.

?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, Diaspora, and Electronic Voting:

?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.

?Special Seats for Women and Vulnerable Groups in Government:

?The National Assembly should be compelled to provide for special seats for women and other vulnerable groups in the constitution to be elected and participate in governance.

?The constitution should be amended to remove the burden of proof from candidates and political parties in election petitions, placing it appropriately on INEC.?

Keynote speakers, panelists, and stakeholders at the summit reached a general consensus on the urgent need to pursue comprehensive reforms of Nigeria?s flawed electoral laws ahead of the 2027 elections.

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.

The summit also advised that Nigeria should engage the United States diplomatically on the basis of mutual respect and openness.

The summit 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.

Members of the Steering Council of the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE), include; Prof. Pat Utomi ? Chairman, Comrade Ayuba Wabba ? Co-Chair, Hon. Dr. Usman Bugaje ? Deputy Chairman (North), Amb. Nkoyo Toyo ? Deputy Chairman (South), Barr. Femi Falana, SAN ? Legal Counsel, Senator Shehu Sani ? Member, Dr. Bilikisu Magoro ? Member.

Others are Comrade Ene Obi ? Member, High Chief Peter Ameh ? Member, Comrade Alex Adum ? Member, Lady Ankio Briggs ? Member, Comrade Promise Adewusi, Director of Administration, Comrade Chris Uyot ? Director of Mobilization, Mallam Hamisu San Turaki ? Director of Mobilization, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye ? Director of Finance, Prince Chris Azor ? Director of Mobilization, Comrade Mark Adebayo ? Director of Mobilization,Prof. Mustapha Nwaokobia, Jnr. ? Director of Communications, Peter Randy Akah ? Director of Publicity,Comrade James Ezema ? Media Coordinator, Comrade Kamal Yusuf Ahmed ? Youth Coordinator, Comrade Hauwa Mustapha, Deputy Head of Secretariat and Veteran Olawale Okunniyi ? Head of Secretariat.

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