With the 2027 general elections approaching, stakeholders have raised serious concerns about the deteriorating state of electoral integrity in Nigeria.
Speaking at a two-day Policy Dialogue held in Abuja on Tuesday, leaders from civil society, traditional institutions, and advocacy organizations highlighted the urgent need to address the interlinked challenges of civic space restrictions, widespread poverty, and electoral insecurity. The event was organized by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) and the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), with support from the MacArthur Foundation.
Traditional ruler and District Head of Gagi in Sokoto State, Alhaji Sani Jabbi (Sarkin Yakin Gagi), warned that credible elections may not be possible in 2027 without significant investment in national security.
“We can’t have credible elections when insecurity prevents segments of the population from accessing polling units. That is not justice,” Jabbi stated. “For transparent elections to take place, security forces must be empowered to reach all corners of the country and guarantee safe voting environments.”
Executive Director of Centre LSD, Monday Osasah, also highlighted Nigeria’s deepening socioeconomic challenges, noting that approximately 133 million Nigerians are living in multidimensional poverty.
“The recent elections raised concerns about integrity, and the shrinking civic space is threatening our democracy,” Osasah said. “These issues are interconnected. We need a coordinated approach that includes sound policy recommendations and a programming framework to tackle them.”
He emphasized the dialogue’s goal of using research and stakeholder collaboration to develop a roadmap that fosters democratic governance, sustainable development, and national well-being.
Comments