INEC Needs to Do Better, Collective Effort Required, Dele Ologunagba Says on 2027 Elections

In a recent discussion on the 2027 elections, Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and Kassim Afegbua, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), shared their perspectives on democracy and governance in Nigeria.

During an ARISE NEWS interview on Tuesday, Ologunagba emphasised the importance of upholding democratic principles, stating “For the PDP that I speak for, I think what is more important for us as a people is to speak to the fact that democracy should be what it ought to be, where the will of the people, where the institutions, particularly, the INEC, with respect to Nigeria, do exactly what it should do.”

He acknowledged that while INEC could improve its performance, it is crucial to collectively address these challenges. “I’m sure you will agree with me that INEC can do better. It hasn’t done well, and we should be united in saying that irrespective of the areas that we’re having challenges.”

Clarifying his stance, Ologunagba added, “I’m not speaking for the north, and I’m not speaking against the north. I’m speaking about good governance.”

Reflecting on the PDP’s internal democracy, he recalled, “We as a party allowed for a free field for everyone who’s qualified to contest. The northerners contested, the southerners contested, and someone won the elections—the primaries—and it happened to be Atiku Abubakar. If there had been democracy and that happens, I don’t see why you blame anybody for that.”

On the topic of political rotation scheme, Afegbua highlighted the complexity of Nigeria’s political landscape, marked by significant ethnic diversity.

“There are about 45 or more ethnic multiplicities competing for attention in a very volatile Nigerian political landscape,” he noted.

He pointed out the persistent north-south divide, stressing the need for a broader perspective, stating “When you look at the country, and you see something that is convenient for a country as disparate as Nigeria, you have to also try as much as possible to bury your own particular partisan picture and look at the bigger picture.”

For Afegbua, the “bigger picture” is achieving good governance, which he believes transcends regional or partisan interests. “Good governance is not domiciled anywhere but domiciled in the individual who has come through a process of democracy to deliver on his promise,” he explained.

With the 2027 elections in talks, the perspectives shared by these political representatives reflect the ongoing debate about the country’s democratic process and the quest for effective governance.

Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), had proposed that northern political leaders should postpone their presidential ambitions until 2031, suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will secure re-election for a second term.

Doyin Okupe, former Presidential Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, had also firmly asserted that the presidency will not shift back to the North in 2027.

Frances Ibiefo

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