COMPREHENSIVE electoral reforms, stronger democratic institutions, greater citizen participation and true independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remain the panacea to challenges facing Nigeria’s democracy as it prepares for next year’s general elections.
This was the consensus of stakeholders in governance, electoral administration, academia, civil society and the media at this year’s edition of BEL Dialogue, a yearly public policy forum, organised by Bel Media Consult Limited, publishers of Ndokwa Reporters and The Brief.
The event, themed, ‘Democracy That Works: Bridging the Gap Between Votes, Results and Institutional Accountability,’ focused on the state of Nigeria’s democracy, electoral process and performance of democratic institutions.
Before then, a delegation of the organisers, led by Chairman of the BEL Dialogue Advisory Board, Paul O. Enebeli, paid a courtesy visit to the Asagba of Asaba, Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge (SAN), to briefed him on the objectives of the event and seek his royal blessings.
While receiving the delegation, the Asagba commended Bel Media Consult for initiating a platform dedicated to strengthening democratic governance and promoting national discourse on electoral accountability, saying the decision to host the dialogue in Asaba was significant.
He expressed optimism that the initiative would position the state capital as a centre for conversations on national development and democratic reforms, describing the theme as apt, coming close to the next general elections.
The monarch charged the organisers to help sensitise citizens on the importance of democratic participation and accountability, expressing the hope that its recommendations would contribute to improving Nigeria’s electoral system.
Earlier, Enebeli commended the Asagba for his transformational leadership since ascending the throne, and briefed him on the objectives of BEL Dialogue, which include encouraging informed public discourse on governance, democratic accountability and national development, while seeking practical solutions to challenges confronting Nigeria’s democracy.
Later at the event, Enebeli, in his remark, said the this year’s theme was deliberately chosen as the country prepares for another general elections, noting that democracy can only flourish when electoral outcomes genuinely reflect the will of the people and institutions responsible for managing the exercise remain independent, transparent and accountable.
He said the dialogue was designed to promote peaceful civic engagement, encourage informed participation in the electoral process and stimulate conversations capable of strengthening democratic governance.
On his part, Chairman of the occasion and a former INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mike Igini, said integrity, institutional independence and adherence to the rule of law remained essential to sustaining democracy.
Igini stated that the credibility of elections depends more on the integrity of the electoral process than on the declaration of results, adding: “When the process is transparent, fair and credible, the result naturally earns public trust.
“However, when the process is compromised, the legitimacy of the outcome will inevitably be questioned.”
He stressed the need for an independent judiciary capable of protecting democratic values and ensuring electoral justice, saying democratic institutions must be strengthened to serve the interests of the people.
Special Guest of Honour and Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, represented by Timothy Agbaragu, in his remark, described the dialogue as a valuable platform for constructive engagement on governance and democratic development.
Aniagwu urged citizens, political parties, government institutions and other stakeholders to work collectively towards protecting the integrity of elections and strengthening democratic values.
The event featured panel discussions by Andrew Agboro, Gibson Alporhe, Monday Michaels Ashibogu, Augusta Chibuzor Keneboh and Ejiro Umukoro, moderated by veteran broadcaster, Lawrence Okpewho. Participants from government, political parties, civil society organisations, professional bodies, women groups, community leaders and the media actively engaged the discussants in contributions and questions on electoral reforms, governance and institutional accountability.
Many participants expressed concern over ambiguities in Nigeria’s electoral laws, inadequate funding of the INEC and security agencies, weak enforcement of sanctions against electoral offenders, voter apathy, poor civic education, corruption and the absence of ideology-driven politics.
They insisted that democracy should reflect the genuine will of the electorate, urging reforms that would ensure election outcomes are determined by votes cast at polling units, rather than the judiciary.
Participants called for free, fair, credible and inclusive elections, while urging INEC, security agencies, political parties and other stakeholders to operate strictly within the law, while upholding transparency, fairness and accountability throughout the electoral process.
They also recommended unambiguous electoral laws, strict enforcement of the rules guiding elections, adequate funding for electoral and security institutions and sustained civic education to encourage citizen participation.
They also stated that recruitment into public institutions should be on merit, competence and integrity, rather than ethnic, religious or sectional considerations, as this would strengthen institutions and promote national development.
The participants further called for issue-based politics driven by competence, service and ideology, saying democratic institutions must remain stronger than individual occupying public offices.
High point of the event was the presentation of the BEL Dialogue Award for Practical Democracy to Igini, in recognition of his contributions to electoral integrity, democratic governance and promotion of credible elections in Nigeria.
