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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the unveiled Prof. Humphrey Nwosu Centre for Democracy and Human Rights have called for sweeping electoral reforms in Nigeria, warning that the perceived lack of independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remains one of the gravest threats to democratic governance in the country.
The call was made at the annual June 12 commemoration lecture and the formal unveiling of the Nwosu Centre, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
The event, organised by the NHRC in collaboration with the Centre, brought together senior government officials, members of the judiciary, legislators, election administrators, political party representatives, civil society organisations, academics and development partners.
Delivering the keynote address, foremost human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana declared that political parties, which fail to conduct free, fair and transparent primaries cannot be regarded as genuinely committed to credible elections.
He also raised alarm over the escalating security crisis across the country, warning that persistent kidnappings, terrorism and other forms of criminality posed a direct threat to the conduct of peaceful and inclusive elections.
“Genuine democracy cannot thrive where any group of people is excluded or subjected to discrimination in governance processes,” Falana said, adding that there could be no true democracy without the liberation of women.
A high-powered panel of eminent Nigerians, human rights activists, scholars and politicians deliberated on electoral integrity, public trust and the legal framework for reform.
The panel expressed concern over what it described as INEC’s failure to operate with true independence and called for urgent institutional reforms to restore public confidence in the electoral process.
The panel observed that electoral integrity is the cornerstone of any credible democratic process, but can only be guaranteed where electoral management bodies are insulated from political interference.
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It noted that the erosion of public trust in Nigeria’s electoral institutions constitutes a significant and growing threat to the country’s democracy.
On the legal framework, participants urged the full implementation of the recommendations of the Justice Mohammed Uwais Electoral Reform Committee, which they described as a critical blueprint for meaningful and sustainable reform.
They also recommended that INEC’s recruitment, appointment and promotion processes be made transparent, merit-based and free from ethnic and political considerations.
Among the panel’s most significant recommendations was a call for constitutional and electoral reforms to introduce a single-term tenure for elected executive office holders, as a means of reducing the influence of incumbency and promoting greater accountability in governance.
Other key recommendations included the establishment of an independent electoral accountability and oversight framework, strengthened internal democracy within political parties, enhanced civic and voter education and increased representation of youths, women and persons with disabilities in political leadership.
Participants observed that despite notable democratic progress since Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1999, challenges, including voter apathy, electoral violence, vote-buying, misinformation and political intolerance continue to undermine the credibility of elections.
The unveiling of the Prof. Humphrey N. Nwosu Centre for Democracy and Human Rights was described as a timely and strategic initiative to preserve democratic memory, advance human rights and develop future democratic leaders.
The Centre is named in honour of the late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, whose conduct of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history, remains a benchmark for electoral credibility and public trust.
The event concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment to the ideals of June 12 and pledging continued support for initiatives that promote electoral integrity, constitutional democracy, human rights, accountability and ethical leadership in Nigeria.
