In a powerful address at the National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria, former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, emphasized the urgent need for reform within the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). His remarks, delivered by High Chief Peter Ameh, a political strategist, set the stage for a larger conversation on how to restore faith in Nigeria’s democratic process.
The panel, titled “Building Viable Political Culture and Political Parties to Foster Competitive Politics,” was convened in Abuja to discuss ways of revitalizing Nigeria’s political framework and fostering a democratic culture that reflects the aspirations of its citizens. Obi’s message resonated as a call for decisive action to overhaul INEC and address the systemic issues plaguing the country’s elections.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission, as currently constituted, is overwhelmed with responsibilities far beyond its primary function,” Obi said. “This dilution of focus weakens its capacity to deliver free and fair elections.” He argued that the electoral body’s expanded role, which now includes overseeing political party registrations and maintaining voter rolls, diverts its attention from organizing elections effectively.
A Call for Streamlined Electoral Focus
According to Obi, no electoral commission globally is tasked with as many duties as INEC, yet its primary mandate remains to conduct credible elections. He suggested that these additional tasks, such as overseeing political party activities, should be handled by a separate body to avoid compromising the integrity of the electoral process.
“INEC should be focused solely on what it was created for—organizing elections. It cannot serve as the nation’s political regulator while also trying to manage the entire electoral system,” Obi noted. He went further to advocate for the creation of a new body, a Political Party Registration and Oversight Commission, to oversee party operations and ensure that democratic principles are followed within political organizations.
“This is crucial for ensuring transparency and accountability within political parties, especially given the failure of INEC to enforce internal democracy within the parties themselves,” Obi added. He underscored that a restructured INEC, one that is leaner and more effective, could address the serious political instability and lack of trust that has characterized past elections.
Proposed Constitutional Amendments: A Single Election Day
Beyond the administrative reforms to INEC, Obi also proposed constitutional amendments aimed at reducing the inefficiency of Nigeria’s electoral process. In his view, the current structure of staggered elections—where different electoral contests are held on separate days—leads to voter fatigue and political manipulation.
“By aligning all elections—presidential, National Assembly, governorship, and state assembly—on a single day, we could reduce election costs by up to 50 percent and significantly increase voter participation,” Obi said. “This will not only save taxpayers’ money but also curtail the political advantages that parties currently exploit by splitting elections across several months.”
Obi’s proposal seeks to amend constitutional sections that currently allow for staggered elections. According to him, the overhaul would lead to a more efficient and cohesive electoral process, with all elections occurring on the same day. The goal, he stressed, is to reinvigorate Nigeria’s democracy by making it more accessible, more affordable, and, ultimately, more legitimate in the eyes of the Nigerian people.
Strengthening Democracy Through Electoral Integrity
The former governor’s call for reform stems from his concern that Nigeria’s political culture and election processes are not delivering the kind of leadership that Nigerians deserve. He explained that the challenges in Nigeria’s democratic system are not just rooted in political parties but in the very framework of the electoral process itself.
“The integrity of our democracy hinges on the credibility of our elections. If we do not fix INEC, we cannot hope to fix our democracy,” Obi warned. His message was clear: unless INEC undergoes fundamental restructuring, it will remain unable to fulfill its critical role in ensuring free, fair, and credible elections, which are the bedrock of a thriving democratic system.
Obi acknowledged that there had been various reform suggestions, including those proposed by judicial panels such as the Justice Owe Panel and the Justice Lemu-led review of the electoral system. He welcomed these ideas but emphasized that without a concerted effort to implement them, Nigeria would continue to experience election-related crises.
“These panels have all pointed out the flaws in our electoral system, and the reforms they proposed must be embraced if we are to have an electoral system that works for every Nigerian,” Obi stressed.
