Opposition and civil society leaders on Wednesday raised grave concerns about Nigeria’s electoral future, cautioning that meaningful reforms may not take place under President Bola Tinubu’s government.
Speaking at a virtual national electoral reform summit, participants resolved to mobilise strategies against what they described as attempts by the ruling party to “rig” its way back to power in 2027.
A former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, was particularly blunt, insisting that no meaningful electoral reform could take place under the current administration. He argued that politicians in power rarely embrace reforms since such changes threaten their hold on office.
Amaechi, who also served as minister of transportation in the last administration, spoke at the meeting themed “Critical constitutional amendments for credible elections in 2027.” He declared:
“There is absolutely nothing anybody can do about electoral reform in Nigeria in the present government.”
According to him, politicians consistently resist reform once they secure power.
“Everybody ensures that once he wins, he will not do electoral reform so that he can bring himself back for a second tenure. Then, when he is out of government, he will start shouting for electoral reform. It takes commitment and patriotism to know that votes should count. Politicians will not do that because politics has become a source of revenue, a source of income. Electoral reform would mean you are taking power back to the people, so they can hire and fire.”
Reflecting on the Muhammadu Buhari years, Amaechi said little progress was made despite opportunities.
“Did we achieve anything when President Buhari was there? There was nothing we did in terms of electoral reform. If those in power at that time had acted, we would not be here today.”
He further accused some past officials, now clamouring for reform, of having previously worked against such measures.
“The people who served in Buhari’s government and are now crying for electoral reform are the same ones who went to him to convince him not to sign the reform that came from the National Assembly,” he said.
Amaechi claimed that some invited guests avoided the summit out of fear of government backlash.
“There are those who can’t answer the question of what they did when they were in government,” he added.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, both listed as chairman and keynote speaker for the event, were absent.
Amaechi also criticised the opposition, accusing many of being self-serving rather than reform-driven.
“What we have currently in the opposition are people who want to win primaries in their different parties, look for public money, then lose elections and keep the money. That’s my suspicion. I may be wrong, but in APC we knew Buhari would win. So, all of us worked for him. Now, if we want anything to happen, it will be after I emerge as a candidate. Then I would know the type of election I want to run.”
He dismissed suggestions that reforms could come through the National Assembly under Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
“If it’s what people are saying about going to the National Assembly led by Akpabio, I know him too well. He was my colleague. I was his chairman in the Governors’ Forum.”
Commenting on electoral malpractice, Amaechi remarked:
“From Abacha’s writing of results till today, the South-South and South-East are yet to come out of writing results. So, if something has to be done for me, I will wait until I have my primaries.”
The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, stressed the importance of a credible system.
“We need a proper electoral system that can guarantee free and fair election for the engendering of democracy in the country,” he said.
Dr Usman Bugaje, a former presidential aide and public affairs analyst, added that reform has repeatedly failed because those in power lack genuine commitment.
“This is one regime that has shown they are not even prepared to conduct an election,” he said.
Former education minister Oby Ezekwesili criticised the judiciary, accusing it of worsening Nigeria’s political crisis.
“We have to take the war to the gate of the judiciary. It’s like elections are now an industry for the judiciary,” she said.
She called for reforms in case management.
“We need to implement an automated system for assigning electoral cases to judges. It will reduce manipulation and strengthen the process. We must also prevail on the NJC to investigate and discipline judges where necessary and restore public confidence.”
Nigeria’s former ambassador to Ethiopia, Nkoyo Toyo, warned that the 2023 polls reversed earlier gains made through technology.
“What we thought was significant progress hit the rocks, and confidence has fallen. Many people today have very little faith in the process.”
She emphasised the urgency of proactive measures.
“The appointment of the next INEC chairman is another critical process we cannot ignore. We must not sit back and watch.”
Former presidential candidate, Prof Pat Utomi, added that governments lacking legitimacy cannot govern effectively.
The summit ended with a consensus among opposition leaders and civic actors that without urgent reforms, Nigeria risks repeating past failures. Yet, as Amaechi and others cautioned, the prospects for genuine change under the present administration appear slim.
