Stakeholders have called for the full autonomy of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), arguing that its independence is crucial for strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and ensuring free, fair, and credible elections.
At a high-level conference tagged Subnational Strengthening Democracy Conference in Kano, political analysts, and civil society leaders, among other stakeholders stressed that INEC’s ability to conduct impartial elections is often compromised by political interference.
The conference, organized by the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa PAACA in partnership with the African Centre For Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), and Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) with the theme: Strengthening Nigeria Democracy - Pathways to Good Governance and Political Integrity.
The keynote speaker, Abdullahi Sule also identified funding constraints, and executive influence as another challenge, and insisted that granting INEC full financial and operational independence would enhance public trust in the electoral process.
Sule, who is the Director Program at the Youth and Environmental Development Association (YEDA) stressed that democracy cannot thrive if its electoral body is not truly independent.
He said, “INEC must have full control over its budget, appointments, and decision-making processes without external influence”.
Sule also highlighted concerns about the executive branch’s influence over INEC leadership. “If we want credible elections, INEC must be free from political control. The appointment of INEC officials should be transparent and devoid of partisan interests,” he said.
Sule also urged the government to amend the Electoral Act and Constitution to curb the trend of cross-carpeting among political officeholders, a practice they say undermines Nigeria’s democratic integrity.
He stated that when politicians switch party allegiance mid-term without seeking a fresh mandate from the electorate, it compromises the accountability and stability of governance.
“To strengthen our democracy, we must close the loopholes that allow elected officials to betray the trust of the people. Amendments are necessary so that any cross-party defection automatically triggers a by-election or resignation.”
Also speaking, the Director of Strategy at the African Centre For Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD), Itia Otabor calls for the strengthening of institutions that protect democratic practices and for reforms in Nigeria’s political party system.
Otabor expressed concern over weak institutions, poor internal party structures, and the lack of ideological consistency among political parties, arguing that without strong democratic institutions and well-structured parties, Nigeria’s democracy would remain unstable.
“For democracy to thrive, institutions like the judiciary, electoral bodies, and anti-corruption agencies must be strengthened to function independently and effectively.
Likewise, political parties must operate on clear ideologies rather than being mere platforms for power struggles”.
He highlighted the frequent internal crises within parties, which often lead to defections and electoral instability.
“Many parties in Nigeria lack strong internal democratic structures. Candidate selection processes are flawed, and party discipline is weak.
If we must strengthen democracy, our parties must be well-organized and ideologically driven,” he adds.
