Electoral experts, security stakeholders and media executives have called for comprehensive electoral reforms, stronger institutional accountability and improved inter-agency security cooperation ahead of the 2027 general elections to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The call was made at a public discourse organised by the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI), Ondo/Ekiti States Chapter, with the theme, “Strengthening Democratic Institutions for Credible Elections in Nigeria: 2027 and Beyond.”
The event brought together key stakeholders, including INEC National Commissioner, Mallam Mohammed Haruna; Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), Mr Lanre Arogundade; Assistant Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mrs Olufunke Amos; and political scientist at Ekiti State University, Dr Mike Omilusi.
Speaking at the event, Haruna acknowledged the decline in public confidence in the electoral process following the 2023 general elections, while highlighting INEC’s efforts to improve electoral administration through innovations such as online voter registration and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
He said the commission would intensify grassroots engagement with traditional institutions to encourage the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and address electoral violence, particularly political thuggery at the community level.
In his contribution, Arogundade challenged political parties to strengthen internal democracy, honour peace accords and take concrete steps to dismantle vote-buying networks that exploit the economic vulnerability of Nigerians.
He also urged political leaders to stop using unemployed youths as instruments of electoral violence, advocating their meaningful inclusion in the democratic process.
On election security, Amos called for stronger cooperation among security agencies, warning against unhealthy rivalry and competition that could undermine effective security management during elections.
She advocated institutionalised intelligence-sharing, comprehensive human rights and electoral training for security operatives, as well as strict enforcement of statutory sanctions against officers found guilty of misconduct before, during and after elections.
Delivering the keynote address, Omilusi emphasised the need for far-reaching structural reforms and greater transparency in the collation and declaration of election results.
He urged political parties to deploy adequately trained and independent polling agents across the country to monitor proceedings and secure accurate records of results from every polling unit.
Supporting the calls for continuous electoral improvements, the Ondo State Deputy Governor and patron of the association, Dr Olayide Adelami, stressed that strengthening democratic institutions remained essential to the survival of Nigeria’s democracy.
The forum consequently advocated a coordinated partnership among INEC, the judiciary, security agencies, civil society organisations and the electorate to ensure that election outcomes genuinely reflect the wishes of voters.
Earlier, the Chairman of AANI, Ondo/Ekiti States Chapter, Dr Akinjide Akinleye, mni, said the discourse was strictly non-partisan and aimed at promoting peaceful, credible, inclusive and transparent elections.
He explained that the gathering was not designed to advance the interests of any political party or individual but to identify electoral challenges and develop practical recommendations capable of strengthening democratic institutions and safeguarding national unity.
Akinleye expressed optimism that the discourse would be remembered not only for the quality of its presentations but also for its practical contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development.
