Strengthening Electoral Integrity: IPC Hosts Fifth Multi-Stakeholders’ Dialogue in Yola

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At the forefront of the 5th edition of the Election Multi-Stakeholders’ Dialogue, hosted by the International Press Centre (IPC) in Yola, Adamawa State, on November 27, 2024, was the goal of strengthening collaboration and role-sharing among electoral stakeholders to restore trust in Nigeria’s elections. This edition follows previous ones held in Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, and Calabar.

Bringing together a diverse group of participants, including representatives from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the media, civil society organizations (CSOs), law enforcement agencies, the Inter-Party Advisory Council, labour unions, youth groups, women’s organizations, and the general public, the dialogue series aims to foster collaboration among key electoral stakeholders to promote credible elections in Nigeria. It provides a platform for feedback, policy reforms, and trust-building in the electoral process, with participants offering submissions and recommendations to inform future electoral reforms.

Delivering the welcome address on behalf of Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Ayo-Aluko Olokun, Editor of Nigerian Democracy Report (NDR), emphasised the collective responsibility required to ensure the credibility and acceptability of electoral processes and outcomes. Mr. Olokun also highlighted that the timing of the dialogue coincides with ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system, including potential amendments to the Constitution and the Electoral Act of 2022.

“It is expected that the discussions and recommendations from this dialogue will significantly contribute to reform efforts, influencing policy changes and enhancing the capacity of democratic institutions at various levels,” Mr. Olokun stated. He noted that the dialogue aims to foster national-level policy reforms, strengthen local stakeholders’ ability to manage elections at the state level, and promote greater civic engagement and trust in the electoral system at the community level.

A key highlight of the event was a lead presentation by Prof. Anna Mohammed of Modibbo Adama University, who delivered a paper titled “Citizens & Elections in Nigeria: The Place of Trust and Responsibilities of Key Electoral Stakeholders.” The session featured expert interventions and was moderated by Dr. Mary Paninga.

In her presentation, Prof. Mohammed underscored the importance of elections as the cornerstone of democracy, providing citizens with the power to choose their leaders and ensuring that governance remains accountable and legitimate. She emphasized that for elections to fulfill their purpose, they must inspire trust among citizens.

To rebuild trust in Nigeria’s electoral processes, Prof. Mohammed called for strengthening INEC, ensuring transparency through the timely release of results, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. She also stressed the importance of engaging traditional leaders and enhancing voter education to boost civic participation.

Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Prof. Mohammed outlined key strategies to restore faith in Nigeria’s democracy, including engaging the youth (who make up 60% of the population and are largely under 25 years of age), leveraging media to combat misinformation, and establishing coalitions to increase voter awareness and participation.

Discussions during the event are expected to contribute to the development of mechanisms for regular consultations, feedback, and policy adjustments, ensuring that the electoral process remains responsive to emerging challenges.

The dialogue series is part of a larger initiative 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.

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