Nigeria @65: Jonathan, Osinbajo, Jega, Others To Demand Bold Electoral Reforms

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Attahiru Jega will lead other stakeholders to launch a National Movement for Electoral Reforms in Abuja on October 1.

Others who will assemble for the event are former Minister of Education Dr Oby Ezekwesili; legal luminary Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), and political economist Prof. Pat Utomi.

The initiative, convened by the National Consultative Front (NCFront) and the Labour & Civil Society Front (LCSF) in partnership with the Nigeria Electoral Reforms Coalition (NERCO) and Partners for Electoral Reforms, comes as the country marks its 65th independence anniversary.

The event, which will take place in Abuja, will be themed “Critical Constitutional Amendments for Credible Elections in 2027.”

Jonathan will chair the dialogue while Osinbajo will serve as alternate chairman.

The movement aims to build consensus on key reforms, including electronic transmission of results, citizen involvement in the appointment of INEC leadership, financial and operational autonomy for INEC, regulation of political party financing, enforcement of internal party democracy, and broader use of technology in elections.

It will also push for inclusion of women, youths, and persons with disabilities, more substantial electoral justice, measures against vote buying and violence, and sustained voter education.

The organisers said the 2023 general elections exposed critical weaknesses in the system, stressing the need for urgent reforms to protect the credibility of future polls.

Panel discussions at the dialogue will cover constitutional reforms, electoral technology, accountability, and inclusivity.

The outcomes of the deliberations will be documented in a National Charter of Demands on Electoral Reforms, which will be presented to the National Assembly, INEC, political parties, and other stakeholders.