Nigerians advocate for reforms to strip the presidency of powers over electoral and judicial bodies, aiming for unbiased governance. Discover the details here.
Since the launch of the Save Democracy Mega Alliance 2027 (SDMA’27) campaign last month, there has been significant public support for its initiative to amend Nigeria’s constitution.
The coalition aims to eliminate the President’s control over the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the authority of state governors over the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs).
Additionally, it seeks to curtail presidential powers regarding judicial appointments, specifically the Chief Justice of Nigeria and state Chief Judges.
Prior to this campaign, various stakeholders had advocated for the removal of these appointive powers, arguing that such authority undermines the independence of both the electoral and judicial systems.
The coalition contends that transferring these powers to an independent body would mitigate executive influence in these critical areas.
During a recent briefing in Abuja, spokesperson Tony Akeni Le Moin outlined the coalition’s plans for a nationwide campaign, culminating in a significant event in the capital.
The SDMA’27’s proposed amendments focus on delegating the appointment of INEC, SIEC, and judicial leaders to a non-partisan body composed of individuals of integrity.
The initiative has received endorsements from notable leaders and pro-democracy organizations, including support from esteemed political economist Professor Pat Utomi.
Utomi has characterized the movement as a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s democracy since 1999, highlighting the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform report as a crucial starting point.
He noted that the report advocates for reforms in executive appointments concerning the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary, emphasizing that shielding these institutions from executive interference would enhance electoral integrity and governance.
The coalition has proposed a three-pronged strategy aimed at fostering national consensus among political, religious, and civil society groups to advocate for constitutional reforms.
Their objective is to generate support for a national conference to formally suggest amendments and to persuade both national and state assemblies to diminish the executive’s excessive influence over INEC and the judiciary.
This initiative aims to prevent a recurrence of the troubling events that marred the 2023 elections in 2027, with the coalition warning that without these reforms, the upcoming elections may mirror previous electoral manipulations.
They invoked the words of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to emphasize the necessity of organized resistance, calling on Nigerians to brace for what they term a “national emergency” to restore democracy in the country.
In response, Dr. Pogu Bitrus, president of the Middle Belt Forum, remarked that the focus should not solely be on who makes appointments, but rather on who has the authority to dismiss.
Peoplesmind
