By Perpetua Onuegbu
Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has called for vigilance in electoral governance conversations as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
Convener of the CSO, Mr Yunusa Ya’u made the call at a stakeholders’ forum on elections on Thursday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the forum was: ‘Securing Nigeria’s Democracy: Building Consensus for Credible Elections and Accountable Governance’.
Ya’u, represented by the Executive Director, Policy Legislative and Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Mr Clement Nwankwo, stressed the need for CSOs, INEC and other stakeholders to also deepen engagements.
“The Situation Room has already issued a threshold document outlining expectations for key institutions, including the police, ahead of the next polls.
“Civil society is less concerned about who wins elections but more about ensuring that the process itself is credible because any flawed election weakens legitimacy and hinders effective governance,” he said.
Ya’u said Nigeria must avoid conditions reminiscent of the early 1980s when political dominance and mass defections contributed to the collapse of democracy and the return of military rule.
He said with the current shrinking political space, leaders must safeguard plurality and resist actions that could erode democratic stability.
Also speaking, Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Joash Amupitan, reiterated that credible elections remained the foundation of Nigeria’s democracy.
Amupitan stressed that all stakeholders must work together to safeguard the electoral process.
According to him, credible polls build public confidence, deepen accountability and strengthen democratic development in any country.
He highlighted the challenges to achieving electoral integrity to include: misinformation, vote-buying, infrastructural gaps and widespread voter apathy.
The INEC chairman noted that despite technological improvements, such as BVAS and the IReV results portal, issues like poor network coverage and low turnout had continue to undermine the system.
Citing examples from the Anambra elections, he explained how targetted interventions—such as extended PVC collection days—helped improve participation, but insisted that sustained collaboration among political parties, security agencies, civil society and the media was essential for progress.
“Democracy is a continuous process, not a one-day event,” Amupitan said, calling for a renewed commitment to inclusion, accountability and a culture of democratic participation across all levels of the society.
In a keynote address, Fr George Ehusani, Executive Director, Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, lamented that 26 years after the return to civilian rule, elections still plagued by irregularities in the country.
Ehusani, however, commended CSOs for their resilience over the years, noting their critical role in safeguarding the democratic space despite mounting challenges.
According to him, credible elections cannot be achieved under the current legal and procedural framework which disenfranchises millions of Nigerians through in-person voting requirements and weak technological deployment.
He called for a comprehensive reform of the Electoral Act to mandate use of biometric accreditation, electronic transmission of results and independent audits of the electoral process.
Ehusani further stated that the burden of proving election credibility should shift to INEC and that all electoral disputes should be concluded before the swearing in of the winners to curb misuse of incumbency power.
A representative of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Cynthia Rowe, described the gathering as a “notable moment of reflection” for the country’s civic space.
Rowe, who noted that democracy goes beyond periodic elections, said it requires trust between citizens and the state, resilient institutions and transparent, inclusive processes that deliver real development.
She reaffirmed United Kingdom’s commitment to partnering with Nigerian stakeholders as the country prepared for the 2026 off-cycle polls and the 2027 general elections.
NAN reports that the forum had in attendance representative of the Inspector-General of Police, INEC commissioners and stakeholders within the civil society space, among others.(NAN)
