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…Urge Tinubu to implement Uwais Report
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has frowned at and rejected the recent report by Open Society Barometer, which revealed that 30 per cent of young Nigerians consider military rule a viable alternative.
The coalition noted that though it is a warning that cannot be ignored, military rule is however not an alternative to democracy, stressing that they will never support military intervention in Nigeria political process.
The CSOs include Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD), the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), and the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA).
Speaking to newsmen in Abuja at the weekend, the coalition demanded thorough electoral reforms by the National Assembly and other stakeholders ahead of 2027 general elections.
They specifically urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to revisit the Justice Mohammed Uwais report and implement the long-term electoral reforms.
Lead advocate in the recently held National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria Project, Ezenwa Nwagwu, urged the legislative arm to prioritise electoral laws that promote inclusivity like diaspora voting and decentralising INEC operations for greater efficiency.
“The recent Open Society Barometer report revealing that 30 per cent of young Nigerians consider military rule a viable alternative is a warning we cannot ignore. But we know that military rule is not an alternative and we will never support military intervention in our political process.
“In response to these pressing concerns, the Civil Society Strategy meeting builds on the resolutions from the recently concluded National Conference. As CSOs, our role is pivotal in ensuring that democracy is not only preserved but strengthened for future generations,” the coalition noted.
They revealed that CSOs would continue to empower Nigerians to demand accountability, resist vote buying, and actively participate in governance processes, disclosing that the groups have resolved to design programmes to ensure mandate protection.
