Some prominent political figures in Nigeria have called on the Federal Government to strengthen the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general elections to rebuild public trust and ensure credible polls.
The call was made on Monday in Abuja during a high-level panel discussion organized by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, themed “Innovation in Electoral Technology 2015–2025: Gains, Gaps, and the Road Ahead.”
The event also witnessed the unveiling of the Athena Election Observatory, a new initiative aimed at tracking electoral reforms, innovations, and governance trends across Nigeria and Africa.
Among the panelists were Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo; Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal; former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; and former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, who also serves as Chancellor of the Athena Centre.
Prof. Soludo emphasized that credible elections are the foundation of good governance, stressing that reforms must prioritize institutional independence and public confidence.
“The critical question is how we can make our institutions work. We have made some progress, but we still have a long way to go in building trust in the process,” he said.
Zamfara Governor, Dauda Lawal, highlighted that true democracy cannot thrive without adherence to the rule of law and accountability in governance.
“We cannot talk about democracy without the rule of law. The rule of law guarantees fairness, justice, and peace in society,” he stated.
On his part, Osita Chidoka blamed Nigeria’s electoral shortcomings on weak institutions and diminishing public confidence, insisting that democracy can only succeed when institutions, not individuals, drive the process.
“We must ensure that the umpire is not seen as a player. Without transparency, democracy becomes a shadow of itself,” Chidoka added.
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