A new national coalition known as the Save Democracy Mega Alliance 2027 (SDMA'27) has since last month been actively campaigning to amend Nigeria's constitution.
The coalition aims to remove the President's authority over the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and state governors' power over the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs).
This movement has garnered considerable support from Nigerians who believe that such changes are necessary to ensure the full independence of both the electoral body and the judiciary.
The SDMA'27 argues that the current system allows for executive influence, as "he who pays the piper dictates the tune." By transferring the power to appoint heads of these institutions to a new independent body, the coalition hopes to prevent such influence.
Prominent leaders and pro-democracy groups across the country have endorsed this initiative, including Professor Pat Utomi, a respected political economist. Utomi highlighted the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform report, which also recommended reforms to insulate these institutions from executive control.
The coalition has outlined a three-point plan to mobilize national consensus across political, religious, and civil society networks, aiming to create a unified demand for constitutional reforms.
Their goal is to build momentum for a national conference to formally propose these amendments and lobby both the national and state assemblies to strip the executive of its overbearing influence on INEC and the judiciary. They warn that without these reforms, the 2027 elections could mirror past electoral manipulations.
Dr. Pogu Bitrus, president of the Middle Belt Forum, emphasized that the issue is not just about who appoints but also about who has the power to fire. He stated, "They should be independent and work for the good of all Nigerians and not work for a group of individuals."
Meanwhile, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, president of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, expressed skepticism about the feasibility of setting up an independent body due to the centralized nature of the current system.
Adebayo Fadipe, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos State, supported the move, stating that it would restore the integrity of the electoral body. He lamented that past INEC chairmen have often been under the president's control, compromising their independence. Fadipe believes that if the powers are removed from the president and given to an independent body, Nigeria could begin to see credible elections.
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