A coalition of political leaders, civil society advocates, labor representatives, and pro-democracy activists has launched the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE), a new platform aimed at reforming Nigeria’s electoral system.
The initiative was unveiled during the 2025 National Political Summit on Credible Elections and Political Stability of Nigeria, held in Abuja on November 11. Organized by the National Consultative Front (NCFront) and the Labour & Civil Society Front (LCSF), the summit brought together over 600 participants, including representatives from political parties, public institutions, the private sector, diaspora communities, academia, and civic organizations.
Under the theme “Critical & Mandatory Constitutional Amendments for Credible Elections in 2027,” the summit outlined strategies to address Nigeria’s electoral challenges.
Keynote addresses and goodwill messages were delivered by notable figures such as former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and former presidential candidate Peter Obi.
Other contributors included NLC President Joe Ajaero, Pat Utomi (summit chairman), Oby Ezekwesili, Shehu Sani, and legal practitioner Adewole Adebayo.
Discussions highlighted Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation and its potential impact on the 2027 elections. Participants warned that rising banditry, terrorism, and violent crime have weakened state authority, creating conditions where non-state actors thrive.
They argued that without immediate reforms to improve security, many communities may become inaccessible during the elections. Concerns were also raised about weak internal democracy within political parties, with stakeholders criticizing candidate-selection processes that prioritize transactional politics over leadership quality.
Delegates condemned entrenched electoral malpractices, including vote-buying, ballot snatching, voter suppression, result manipulation, and extensive post-election litigation.
They stressed that these practices erode public trust and discourage voter participation, with outcomes often determined by court rulings rather than the ballot box.
The summit proposed several reforms to overhaul the electoral system, including, granting INEC full financial autonomy by channeling funds directly from the Federation Account, adopting an open budgeting system for INEC to ensure transparency and civil society oversight, empowering INEC to prosecute electoral offenders independently without relying on the Police or the Attorney-General.
Also, legalizing early voting, diaspora voting, electronic voting, and real-time electronic transmission of results to curb election manipulation. Reforming the process for appointing INEC commissioners, removing it from the Executive and involving diverse national stakeholders, introducing special constitutional seats for women and vulnerable groups to enhance inclusivity in governance and shifting the burden of proof in election petitions from candidates to INEC, requiring the commission to defend announced results.
A key outcome of the summit was the formal launch of the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE), envisioned as a citizen-driven platform to mobilize Nigerians for clean elections and deter manipulation ahead of 2027.
The movement aims to build cross-regional alliances and make electoral fraud socially unacceptable and politically costly.
To lead the initiative, a 23-member Interim Steering Council was inaugurated. Pat Utomi was named chairman, with Ayuba Wabba as co-chair. Other prominent members include Usman Bugaje (Deputy Chair, North), Nkoyo Toyo (Deputy Chair, South), Femi Falana, Shehu Sani, Ankio Briggs, and Bilikisu Magoro.
The council also includes youth leaders, finance directors, and mobilization coordinators, with Olawale Okunniyi heading the secretariat and James Ezema serving as Media Coordinator.
Additional members such as Chris Uyot, Mark Adebayo, and Kamal Ahmed were assigned roles to drive the movement’s outreach and advocacy efforts.
