National Wire About Nigerians, Nigerian Business and Other Stories
By Dayo Emmanuel
The MAP Development Initiative (MAPDI), under the Youth Political Participation (YPP) platform, in collaboration with youth organisations across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, on Tuesday led a nationwide mobilisation to mark the National Day of Action on Electoral Reforms.
The movement amplified renewed calls for lawmakers to urgently adopt key electoral amendments that advocates say could reshape the integrity and credibility of Nigeria’s elections.
The coordinated campaign, backed by the YPP Electoral Reform Consortium and supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), brought together a wide network of youth-led organisations committed to strengthening democratic accountability, deepening inclusion, and boosting transparency in the country’s electoral system.
The consortium is coordinated by Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) and includes JESZ Development Foundation (North West), Fringe Voices (South South), Child Protection and Peer Learning Initiative (North East), and Better Community Life Initiative (South East).
During a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday, MAPDI’s Executive Director, Mayowa Adeniran, declared the campaign “a historic opportunity for the Nigeria’s National Assembly to restore public trust and reinforce the foundations of Nigeria’s democracy.”
Adeniran noted that Nigerian youths have borne the consequences of election-related violence, judicial delays, and electoral malpractice, making reform both urgent and unavoidable.
Three Reforms, One National Demand
At the centre of the nationwide protests and advocacy actions were three primary reforms which youth groups insist must be passed without further delay.
1. A transparent, merit-driven appointment process for INEC leadership
Youth organisations are calling for amendments to Sections 153 and 154 of the Constitution to remove presidential discretion in appointing INEC commissioners. Instead, they are advocating for a non-partisan selection panel composed of credible institutions.
Advocates say such a system would boost public trust in the electoral body, reduce perceptions of political interference, and give the Commission firmer credibility before Nigerians and the international community.
2. Faster resolution of election-related court cases
The groups propose amendments to Section 285 to ensure that all pre-election matters are concluded before Election Day, while post-election cases are resolved before inauguration. Youth leaders argue that lingering legal battles distort the electoral process, heighten political tension and weaken public confidence in outcomes.
3. Creation of an Electoral Offences Commission
For several years, civil society and electoral stakeholders have pushed for an independent body to investigate and prosecute electoral offenders. According to MAPDI, widespread vote-buying, violence and intimidation continue mainly because perpetrators face no consequences.
The consortium stressed that these reforms reflect the long-standing frustrations of millions of young Nigerians who repeatedly experience the consequences of electoral malpractice, delayed justice and weak institutional safeguards.
MAPDI urged the National Assembly to prioritise the reforms as Nigeria approaches another electoral review cycle. “The decisions lawmakers take now will determine whether future elections are credible, peaceful and widely trusted,” the group stated.
Adeniran states further that, “These reforms are not partisan. They are about fairness, justice, accountability and a democracy that Nigerians, especially young people, can believe in.”
The group also appealed to civil society organisations, journalists, influencers and community leaders to sustain pressure as the National Assembly prepares to vote on the reform bills.
Town Hall Meeting to Drive Consensus
To deepen engagement and consolidate national advocacy, MAPDI announced a multi-stakeholder Town Hall on Electoral Reform scheduled for next Thursday in Osogbo, the Osun State capital. The event is expected to attract State Assembly members, youth advocates, market leaders, CSOs and community development groups to review proposed reforms and build consensus.
Adeniran reiterated MAPDI’s unwavering commitment to a democratic process that reflects the aspirations and energy of Nigeria’s young population. “These reforms deserve passage, not postponement,” he said. “The future of electoral accountability depends on the choices made today.”
Calls for Transparency and Youth Inclusion
One of the speakers, Suliyat Eletu Layeni, emphasised the need for transparency in the appointment of the Chairman of the electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
She said, “Nigeria should have a merit based process, a transparent method of appointing the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Committee (INEC).”
According to her, “Why it matters to Nigeria is that the current appointment method raises concern. The non-partisan mechanism will strengthen public trust in INEC, enhance naturality and reduce perception of bias.”
Layeni explained that increased transparency would improve election integrity and enforce INEC’s independence. She added, “Announcement should be made for the youths to be aware ahead of the appointment of the INEC chairman. The youths are supposed to make input. The government should invite youth in the process.”
She expressed concern that young Nigerians often become disengaged when excluded from key political processes. “Most youths will rather go with entertainment and comedy, but the things that are affecting us—the youths are not interested because they are not carried along. How do you want change to happen when the leaders of tomorrow are not carried along?” she asked.
“If the youths are carried along in the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria, there will be trust,” she assured.
Concerns Over Judiciary Weakness
Another panelist, John Oyetunde, raised concerns about the perceived weakness of Nigeria’s judicial institutions.
He said, “We all know that in this part of the world, and Nigeria in particular, we have weak institutions and the judiciary is one of them.”
He said, “You will see someone who actually won an election, but you will hear ‘go to court’, knowing that nothing will come out of it. The judiciary needs to work on itself to put a level of trust in the people. It wasn’t like this in the 70s and 80s. We had our problems then, but things were not this bad.”
Oyetunde stressed that election cases should not drag on for months or years, arguing that the judiciary must take the lead in restoring trust.
Call for an Electoral Offences Tribunal
Panelist Habib Oladapo called for the establishment of a strong electoral offences tribunal. He said, “The establishment of an electoral offences tribunal is key. In the past few elections, we’ve seen violence. Apart from having enabling laws, there must be an electoral offences tribunal in place.”
Oladapo, who has monitored several elections, added that vote-buying remains pervasive. “The common thing apart from visible violence is vote buying. It even happened in the just concluded Anambra election. It is something that should be punished.”
He argued that deterrence mechanisms would help strengthen the process. “This should lead to a larger conversation. If we have a deterrence mechanism in place, it will further help to improve the process,” he said.
