National Wire About Nigerians, Nigerian Business and Other Stories
The International Press Centre (IPC) is set to hold the fifth edition of its Election Multi-Stakeholders’ Dialogue series in Yola, Adamawa State, on Wednesday, 27th November 2024. The event will bring together up to 70 key electoral stakeholders to discuss the critical theme, “Rebuilding Trust in the Electoral Processes, Institutions, and Elections.”
Building on previous editions in Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, and Calabar, this forum, driven by media and civil society, seeks to address and gather input on how to overcome negative perceptions of Nigeria’s electoral system. The discussions will focus on identifying the root causes of mistrust and advocate for inclusive reforms that can restore public confidence.
Key Objectives and Focus Areas
The dialogue will feature submissions and recommendations from diverse stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the media, civil society organizations (CSOs), law enforcement agencies, the Inter-Party Advisory Council, labor unions, youth, women, and citizens. The objective is to foster collaboration and role-sharing to enhance the credibility of elections in Nigeria. Recommendations from these discussions will contribute to the development of mechanisms for regular consultations, feedback, and policy adjustments to ensure sustained trust-building efforts.
Special Session
The dialogue will include a lead paper on “Citizens & Elections in Nigeria: The Place of Trust and Responsibilities of Key Electoral Stakeholders,” presented by Prof. Annah Malgwi of Modibbo Adama University, Yola. The presentation will be followed by interventions from electoral experts and other prominent stakeholders, moderated by Dr. Mary Paninga, Deputy Coordinator of the Women Political Empowerment Project in Yola.
IPC Executive Director’s Statement
Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the IPC, highlighted the significance of the feedback gathered during the “Rebuilding Trust” series. He noted that it provides a vital platform for discovering new challenges in Nigeria’s electoral processes. “This feedback not only fosters open dialogue but also acts as a catalyst for reforms, accountability, and strengthening democratic institutions,” he said. “Through continuous engagement with the media, CSOs, and other stakeholders, we can help build public confidence in the electoral system, contributing to a more transparent, inclusive, and trustworthy democracy.”
The dialogue series is supported by the European Union under Component 4 (Support to Media) of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase 2 (EUSDGN II) project, with the International Press Centre serving as the lead partner.
