Ahead of the 2027 general election, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria have dismissed the opposition merger plan, insisting that the political parties are weak.
The CSOs declared that the opposition in the country lacks ideology, which is affecting the country’s growth and development.
The CSOs stated that most political parties have been hijacked and are now in the pockets of individuals. They called for urgent reform, adding that if the country must move forward politically, the platforms must be freed from the pockets of the hijackers.
The CSOs, which spoke through their leader, Awwal Musa Rafsanjani are Transparency International (TI), the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).
“We think this opposition should not be personalised. It should be about strengthening political parties that have already been hijacked.
“We must ensure political parties function well. We are not seeing that now. Opposition should not be only during campaigns. Political parties need reforms. They are not working for Nigerians. Even the ruling party does not provide the required leadership because a political party is not all about the president at the centre and the governors in the states.
“Most chairmen emerged through appointment by the president at the national and governors at the state. In other countries, political parties advance their ideologies globally. We don’t have that in Nigeria,” the CSOs said.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Tuesday that it had interfered with the National Assembly members’ efforts to facilitate the necessary review of the electoral legal framework before the 2027 general election.
The electoral umpire also disclosed that it had already begun reviewing its planning tools for future elections, such as the strategic plan and the election project plan.
INEC chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu stated this at the maiden visit of the new European (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
He said the commission undertook an extensive internal and external review of the 2023 general election, which involved the participation of its own officials and stakeholders.
Yakubu said INEC had produced a 524-page main report and a 74-page review report containing 142 recommendations, adding that the two reports had already been uploaded to the commission’s website.
According to him, the commission had commenced the implementation of aspects of the recommendations that only require administrative action.
A copy of the report sighted by LEADERSHIP indicated that out of 142 recommendations, 86 require action solely by NEC, 44 by the commission in collaboration with other entities, three by ICCES (security agencies), eight by the National Assembly through legislative action and one by the federal and state governments.
Some of the eight recommendations requiring National Assembly or legislative actions include: Review of Section 47 (1) of the Electoral Act to modify the requirement for the use of Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) and introduce electronically downloadable voters’ card or any other form of ID acceptable to the Commission; Review of the electoral legal framework to introduce early/special voting to cater for eligible voters on essential services, including election and security personnel, election observers, journalists and other designated categories of voters; Review the electoral legal framework to permit diaspora and/or out-of-country voting; and review of the Legal Framework to unbundle INEC, such as establishing the Electoral Offences Commission and Political Party Regulatory Agency.
Others include: Review the law to confer the power to appoint heads of state and FCT offices on the Commission; Amend Section 65(1) of the Electoral Act to provide a caveat that the review of results should be based on incidents of declarations under duress; Clearly define the period for withdrawal and substitution of candidates by law such that no party can substitute its candidate two weeks after the publication of the final list of candidates except for death, as provided in Sections 33 and 34 of the Electoral Act 2022.
The INEC chairman reiterated the agency’s commitment to sustaining its regular consultative engagements with stakeholders, aware that election was a multi-stakeholder responsibility.
Yakubu further stated that the commission neither receives direct funding nor has an account into which donor funds are warehoused.
He said the European Union and other development partners provide indirect support in areas such as report publication, retreats, engagement with stakeholders, and consultancy and technical support services in various areas through the implementing partners they select and appoint.
El-Rufai Alleges Plans By APC To Destabilise Opposition
A former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is orchestrating a plot to undermine opposition parties in the country.
On Monday, Mr El-Rufai, a founding member of the APC, made this claim while addressing a conference in Abuja.
The event, themed “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity,” was organised by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (LSD).
“There appears to be a deliberate initiative to dismantle opposition parties,” he alleged.
There are currently 17 opposition parties in Nigeria.
Mr El-Rufai urged these parties to unite to safeguard the country, warning that it is sliding towards a one-party system.
“Internal mercenaries within the PDP are hired and incentivised to destroy the party. The Labour Party is also encountering similar challenges. Peter Obi informed me, ‘I don’t know what’s happening in the party I contested with,’” he stated.
Peter Obi was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the recently concluded general elections.
In addition to being a founding member of the APC, Mr El-Rufai played a significant role in Bola Tinubu’s ascension to the presidency in 2023.
Prior to the election, Tinubu and El-Rufai were not politically aligned, and there were instances when the two exchanged barbs. However, they appeared to have reconciled their political differences ahead of the party’s presidential primary.
In 2022, during an event in Kaduna, Mr Tinubu personally invited the former governor to abandon his plans for retirement from public service and join his administration, should they win the election.
However, the Senate rejected Mr El-Rufai’s nomination as a minister “acting on certain petitions.” Many believed this was a result of power struggles within the party.
In recent months, Mr El-Rufai has been critical of the presidency, including a cryptic post on X accusing the president of nepotism.
Mr El-Rufai, a former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), also stated that illiterates are at the helm of the APC, adding that he no longer recognises it as a party.
“I no longer recognise the APC. No party organ has convened in two years—no caucus, no NEC, nothing. You can’t even tell if it’s a one-man show; it’s a zero-man show.
“You cannot afford to have illiterates, semi-illiterates, and cunning individuals as your leaders. This is why we end up with the poor leadership we have today,” he remarked.
Stakeholders Urge NASS To Prioritise Electoral Reform Proposal
Stakeholders have asked the 10th National Assembly to prioritise proposals before it seeking a review of the electoral Act and urged opposition parties to form a strong coalition to check the ruling party.
These were contained in a communique issued at the end of a two-day National Conference on strengthening democracy in Nigeria, organised by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) and partners in Abuja.
The communique, signed by Dr. Otive Igbuzor of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, Mrs. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, and Ezenwa Nwagu, said the law should prosecute electoral offenders, as this would serve as a strong deterrent to others.
The communique also called on the Executive to prioritise developing and implementing policies to reduce social inequalities and alleviate poverty to curb the alarming trend of “meal over vote.”
They also urged the government to revisit the Uwais Report, which emphasised long-term strategies prioritising sustainable electoral reforms to benefit future generations rather than short-term solutions.
They called on the Executive to entrench the judgement on LG democratic autonomy by ensuring judicial interpretation for the independence of the State Electoral Commission.
According to the document, Police reforms should be prioritised at both the national and sub-national levels “because a viable Police Force is crucial to a strengthened democracy”.
“The issue of state policing is inevitable considering the growing population and risks in the country.”
The forum recommended, among other things, that “the Correctional Service should be placed under the Justice Ministry for effective management rather than remaining in the Ministry of Interior.
The communique further tasked the Judiciary with pursuing reforms to attain autonomy and address issues such as judges’ welfare, condition of service, and recognition of magistrates.
The forum tasked the Legislature with actively fulfilling its oversight, lawmaking, and representation responsibilities, as a functional legislature is essential for a thriving democracy.
“The 10th Assembly should prioritise the proposals before the National Assembly seeking to reform the electoral process. 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.
“The legislature should fulfil its responsibility of thoroughly scrutinising the process of appointing individuals to hold sensitive positions in INEC to minimise the tendency of the ruling party to plant its cronies in the electoral body.
The inclusivity of the electoral process should be reviewed to include diaspora voting, enabling Nigerians living abroad to participate in national elections. This would ensure that all citizens, regardless of location, have a voice in shaping the country’s future and strengthen the democratic process by fostering a more inclusive and representative electoral system.”
To political parties, the forum recommended that “political parties should not be seen as mere special-purpose-vehicle (SPV) for elections every four years, but rather as viable, ongoing entities that remain actively engaged in political, social, and economic issues.
They further said political parties should embrace competitive primaries as a duty, as this remains the most effective means of fielding competent candidates from which voters can make their choices.
The forum called on civil society and the media to actively engage in citizen sensitisation programmes, educate them about their rights and responsibilities, and find effective ways to hold duty-bearers accountable.
“There should be advocacy for the reduction of the incumbent’s power to appoint individuals into sensitive positions and control procurement processes.
“Civil society should advocate for ending the culture of using state resources to fund ruling parties, as this trend is dangerous to widening the democratic space,” the forum stated.
It urged INEC to promote the decentralisation of election management in Nigeria to enhance efficiency, transparency, and inclusivity by empowering regional and local structures to oversee electoral processes, address logistical challenges, and engage communities more effectively.
It went on: “INEC should review 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.
To further deepen the space for political participation, INEC should allow the registration of new political parties as enshrined in the constitution,” it said.
They also called on security agencies to hold electoral offenders accountable to ensure 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,” it added.
