BY SUNNY OKIM

On Friday, October 1 when Nigeria clocked 61 years of independence, some political stakeholders from across the country met in Abuja in an emergency national summit focusing on the country's electoral reforms ahead of 2023.

At the end of the day, the about 100 eminent personalities who attended the summit issued a communique, agreeing to work together as a coalition towards the 2023 general elections.

The summit also agreed to engage the Buhari administration to ensure adoption of electronic transmission of election results.

"The summit agreed to initiate an all inclusive national political coalition to mobilise Nigerians, while engaging the Federal Government for the adoption of electronic transmission of election results in Nigeria and also to ensure that there is a collective mandate of all stakeholders towards the advocacy for other related electoral reforms in Nigeria so that the country does not end up with another electoral acts that do more to undermine the integrity and credibility of the electoral process instead of improving it," stated the communique signed by Prof Pat Utomi , Chairman Local Organising Committee of the summit, a copy of which was made available to News Express.

Below is the full text of the communique issued by the Summit, unedited:

Preamble

On the October 1, 2021, Leaders of Conscience and National Political Stakeholders across sectional lines and Political Parties converged at the Rockview Hotels in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja at an emergency National Political Summit to discuss the issue of electoral challenge of the country, especially in the light of the massive clamour of Nigerians especially electronic transmission of vote results in commemoration of the 61st Anniversary of Nigeria’s Independence.

The emergency intervention meeting, which was convened to initiate a National Political Coalition for Electoral Reforms with focus on the adoption of electronic transmission of election results was co chaired by Prof Attahiru Jega, Former INEC Chair and Dr Olisa Agbakoba SAN, Former President of CLO and NBA, who gave a joint Opening Remarks at the event under the Theme: Restoring the Credibility of Democracy and Legitimacy of the Nigerian State: The Imperative For Electronic Transmission of Election Results

Attendance

The meeting was attended by eminent political stakeholders. Prof Attahiru Jega and Prof Pat Utomi gave opening remarks setting the stage for the discussion on the electronic transmission of results and other electoral reform issues. Other eminent leaders who spoke at the event are Dr Oby Ezekwesili, Prof Remi Sonaiya, Amb Nkoyo Toyo, Chief, Dr Mike Ozekhome, SAN, Senator Shehu Sanni, Barr Adewole Adebayo, Chief, Dr Okwadike Ezeife, Dr Sarah Jubril, Sen Shehu Sani, Dr Monday Ubani, Chief Ralph Nwosu, Hajiya Maryam Inna Ciroma, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Comrade Ariyo Toye Dare, Hon Dr Olu Usim Wilson, Hon Madam Hadjia Zainab Maina, Arc Ezekiel Nya Etok, Chief Precious Elekima, Col Bello Fadile, Comrade Olúdáre Ogunlana, Dr Chike Okogwu, Dr Tanko Yunusa, among others, While Dr Olusegun Mimiko, Prof Kingsley Moghalu, Prof Chidi Odinkalu and 55 other leaders participated in the Summit via zoom. Apologies were received from Rt Hon Ghali Umar Naa'aba, Former Speaker and Mallam Falalu Bello, PRP, National Chairman, among others, who were unavoidable indisposed.

Observations & Submissions

Various stakeholders who spoke at the event agreed to the importance of election as a major plank of Democracy and that if any electoral process is susceptible to rigging and malpractices then such democracy loses its credibility and integrity. Therefore, it worries Stakeholders that elections in Nigeria have been riddled with malpractices and rigging since the inception of the present civilian rule in Nigeria, which has caused damage to the confidence of majority of Nigerian citizens, who have lost faith in democracy as well as the Nigerian State.

Regarding the failing legitimacy of the Nigerian state, it was also stated that most Nigerians perceive that most elected officers are usurpers who foisted themselves on the people through outright rigging and electoral malpractices and this injustice has contributed to the erosion of state legitimacy, growing political acrimony and the various divisions that the country is presently experiencing.

Again, participants noted that the flaws and pitfalls in the Nigeria electoral system have greatly eroded the authority of government officials to the extent that seemingly elected governments are presently contending with different forms of political instability, insecurity and sabotage orchestrated by the governed, having failed to provide good governance and dividends of democracy for the majority of the citizens, owing to crisis of stolen mandate and inept leadership foisted by rigged elections.

The summit however observed that one major factor and alibi for electoral malpractices and rigging in Nigeria is the manual/physical transfer of election results in Nigeria, which is archaic, problematic and prone to abuse and infractions.

Consequently, Stakeholders across party divides and sectional lines, including civil society groups agree that the country is ripe and due for electronic transmission of election results to overcome at least 50% of the basis for electoral malpractices in Nigeria as asserted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC

To this end, the summit noted the opposition from some powerful lawmakers in the National Assembly, especially those from the ruling party and their sponsors, who are the greatest beneficiaries of the current manipulable election results transfer mode, and their antics and determination to constitute a barrier to the yearnings and aspirations of the majority of Nigerians for urgent adoption of electronic transmission of election results for the 2023 Elections.

Resolution

Against the background of the submissions and proposals of stakeholders, the Summit agreed to initiate an all inclusive national political coalition to mobilise Nigerians, while engaging the Federal Government for the adoption of electronic transmission of election results in Nigeria and also to ensure that there is a collective mandate of all stakeholders towards the advocacy for other related electoral reforms in Nigeria so that the country does not end up with another electoral acts that do more to undermine the integrity and credibility of the electoral process instead of improving it.

Finally, the Summit agrees that Electronic Transmission of results is the way to go for Nigeria and all stakeholders across party and sectional lines must build a common front to do all the needful in ensuring credible electoral reforms for Nigeria ahead of the 2023 elections.

Conclusions

To this end, the National Political Summit mandated the Co Chairpersons of the Summit, Prof Attahiru Jega &
Dr Olisa Agbakoba SAN in consultation with the LOC Chairman of the Summit, Prof Pat Utomi and Head of Secretariat, Che Olawale Okunniyi to immediately facilitate an all inclusive multi stakeholders Coordinating Committee to lead a new National Political Coalition on Electoral Reforms ahead of the 2023 elections Members of the Coordinating Team are to be invited to an inaugural meeting of the coalition in a fortnight.

Signed
Prof Pat Utomi
Chairman, Local Organising Committee, LOC
National Political Summit, 2021