The ANAP Foundation, through its civic initiative, GoNigeria, has identified electoral reform, judicial reform, freedom of speech, and security of life and property as critical pillars for strengthening Nigeria’s democratic future.
In a statement issued yesterday, the Convener of ANAP Foundation, Atedo Peterside, alongside 23 other advocates, said the pillars represent “practical guardrails” required to build a durable and productive democracy.
The Foundation stressed that among the four, electoral reform remains the most fundamental, noting that credible elections are central to legitimacy, institutional trust, and effective governance.
“Elections do not simply select leaders; they determine whether power is accepted as legitimate, whether institutions are trusted, and whether governance will be effective.”
Where elections are credible, authority is strengthened,” the statement read.
The advocates recalled the recommendations of the Justice Mohammed Uwais Electoral Reform Committee, which emphasised the independence of the electoral body, transparency in the process, credible dispute resolution, and strict enforcement of electoral rules.
They noted that subsequent reforms introduced digital innovations such as biometric voter registration, Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and electronic accreditation, describing them as responses to both institutional intent and public demand for credible elections.
According to the statement, these efforts reached a peak during the 2015 general elections, widely regarded as a benchmark in Nigeria’s democratic journey. However, it was observed that the gains have since weakened.
“Progress proved fragile, and following the 2019 and 2023 elections, public trust has regressed due to uneven use of technology, weak enforcement of rules, and increased reliance on courts to determine electoral outcomes,” the group said.
It added that recent surveys indicate that less than half of Nigerians have confidence in the electoral commission, with distrust particularly pronounced in the South-South and South-East regions. Among young Nigerians, aged 18 to 35, nearly three-quarters reportedly lack confidence in the system’s ability to deliver free and fair elections.
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