•Urges INEC to register new parties
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Participants at the just-concluded National Conference on strengthening democracy in Nigeria have recommended the former of a strong, viable coalition party by all the opposition parties ahead of the 2027 presidential elections.
In a communique, they resolved that the opposition parties should unite to form a coalition that will ensure checks and balances, promote accountability and foster healthy political discourse to protect the integrity of the democratic process.
The conference was a gathering of almost all the political heavyweights in both the ruling and opposition parties, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) comprising Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Atiku Abubakar, former governors, comprising Victor Ubong Attah of Akwa-Ibom, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, Rivers, Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti, Nasir El-Rufai, Kaduna, Emeka Ihedioha, Imo, Abdulfatah Ahmed, Kwara, Waziri Tambuwa, Sokoto States, past Ministers like Bolaji Abdullahi, Youth and Sports, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, State for Education, past Senator like Ben Obi, Abiodu Olujimi among many other dignitaries.
Presenting the communique, the participants also noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should allow the registration of new political parties as enshrined in the constitution to further deepen the space for political participation.
One of the conveners, Ezenwa Nwagwu, noted that the conference agreed that political parties should adopt innovative strategies for raising funds to support their operations, ensuring financial independence and sustainability to minimise state capture and corrupt tendencies.
“Opposition political parties must unite to form a strong, viable coalition that ensures checks and balances, promotes accountability, and fosters healthy political discourse to protect the integrity of the democratic process.
“INEC should undertake a review of its internal processes to incorporate ward-level collation of results and ensure strict adherence to the electoral guidelines as mandated.
“Technology should be integrated into the electoral process to enhance accountability and transparency, aligning with global best practices and ensuring the credibility of the election outcomes.
“INEC should live up to its billing of strengthening political parties through its regulatory function to ensure internal democracy is entrenched in political parties,” the communique read
Ezenwa further noted that the conference also urged the legislature to actively fulfil its oversight, lawmaking, and representation responsibilities, as a functional legislature is essential for a thriving democracy.
“The proposals before the National Assembly seeking to reform the electoral process should be prioritised by the 10th Assembly. This should include other structural reforms of the electoral system including the “winner-takes-all” system. Considering the limited timeframe to the next general elections, the National Assembly should prioritise the review of the Electoral Act,” he said.
The conveners equally revealed that the participants agreed that electoral offenders should be prosecuted in accordance with the law, as this would serve as a strong deterrent to others. Holding offenders accountable is essential for ensuring free, fair, and credible elections.
“Security agencies should be professional in their conduct and maintain their independence and neutrality on electoral matters and focus on protecting citizens’ rights and upholding the rule of law.”