Yiaga Reports Decline In Public Trust In Nigerian Elections, Calls For Electoral Reforms

Elections in Nigeria came under heavy criticisms as reports presented by the Yiaga Africa and Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) on Friday, revealed that public trust on elections in the country was gradually waning as it dropped from 33 percent to 23 percent due to alleged mismanagement of elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary.

This was just as the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), the umbrella body of all registered political parties in Nigeria called for the amendment of the constitution to stop the President from appointing the Chairman of INEC, National and Resident Commissioners.

Presenting a communique of their seminar titled, ‘Nigeria’s Electoral Process One Year After the 2023 General Election’, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Otodo, said, “The Afrobarometer survey’s findings that only 23 percent of Nigerians trust of INEC signify a crisis of confidence that must be urgently addressed.

“Trust in electoral processes is the bedrock of democratic legitimacy, and as such, Yiaga Africa calls for greater transparency, and accountability for all election stakeholders. We acknowledge the technological strides made by INEC, particularly with the BVAS.

“However, we encourage INEC to continue to strive for greater transparency and regular public engagement, to rebuild and enhance the public trust. Unclear stance of the Tinubu-led administration on electoral reform:”, he stressed. The report said that “One-year after the general election, the Tinubu administration is yet to declare its stance on electoral reform.

Following the conclusion of election petitions, there is a public expectation that the President would present a definitive electoral reform agenda to restore trust in the process  Yiaga Africa called on the Tinubu-led administration to articulate and implement a definitive electoral reform agenda for Nigeria, adding that the commitment of the Presidency to support and assent to legislative efforts to reform the electoral framework is critical to restoring public trust.

“Yiaga Africa acknowledges the importance of judicial pronouncements in shaping electoral jurisprudence.  However, it said that the legal inconsistencies and the conflicting judgements that surfaced post-election are of great concern.”

According to the communique, “The judiciary must conduct an introspective audit to rectify the inconsistencies and legal discrepancies that have contributed to a decline in judicial trust among the Nigerian people.

“The perceived capture of the election management body through partisan appointments undermines INEC’s integrity. Yiaga Africa stands firm against any form of political interference that compromises the neutrality and independence of electoral institutions.”

It further noted that the culture of electoral impunity, highlighted by instances of attacks on INEC officials, pre-filled results sheets and violence at polling units, posed a significant threat to the rule of law and democratic order.

Yiaga Africa insisted on stringent measures against electoral offenders to deter future misconduct.

It noted that the obstruction of legal processes and the tampering with electoral evidence were unacceptable, just as it urged the judiciary and security agencies to protect the sanctity of electoral materials and the legal rights of all stakeholders to seek justice.

“The report paints a picture of declining public trust, questionable political will for electoral reform, institutional challenges, unchecked electoral misconduct, intentional obstruction of electoral justice, declining voter turnout, and evolving jurisprudence on electoral matters.

“These trends are a stark reminder of the fragility of Nigeria’s democracy and they underscore the urgent need for comprehensive democratic reform.

“The documented cases of election manipulation, violence and brigandage in states like Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo, as well as the widespread inconsistencies in the judicial pronouncements, raise grave concerns about the commitment to democracy, constitutionalism and the rule of law.

“The prevalence of attacks on INEC officials, pre-filled result sheets, political thuggery, violence and reports of inflated turnout figures call into question the credibility of electoral outcomes and undermine public confidence in democratic institutions.

“These trends reveal a challenge in our political culture and it constitutes an affront to the Nigerian electorate,” the report stated.

In his keynote address, IPAC Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, called for the amendment to the 1999 Constitution on the appointment of the INEC chairman.

He said, “Appointment of INEC Chairman, National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners will move the powers of appointment from the President to another independent body subject to confirmation by the Senate.”

According to the IPAC chairman, “It will guarantee neutrality, impartiality and independence of the Chairman and Resident Electoral Commissioners in discharging their Constitutional duties.”

On electoral reforms, the IPAC chairman said, “As a major stakeholder in the democratic process, IPAC has set up a Constitution and Electoral Act Amendments Committee that will make proposals to be presented to the National Assembly.

“The need for electoral reform cannot be overemphasised in the quest for sustainable democracy in Nigeria. The following are some of the issues the electoral review should address.

“Scrapping of the State Independence Electoral Commission: the enormous powers and influence of state governors affect the independent status of this commission. It has also affected the democratically elected local government councils across the country.

“Politics is local, citizens should be encouraged to actively participate in grassroots politics that guarantees free, fair and credible local government elections.

“Establishment of Electoral Offences Commission: the need to protect the sanctity of our electoral process is critical in upholding the tenets of democracy. The rate of electoral offences is alarming, disturbing and startling.

“The need for Electoral Offences Commission cannot be overemphasised. Electoral offenders must be severely punished to serve as a deterrent to others.”

Chuks Okocha

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