GoNigeria Demands Electoral Reforms
GoNigeria, a civic coalition, has called for urgent electoral reforms to address declining public confidence in Nigeria's electoral process, warning it threatens democratic stability. The group identified four critical pillars for democracy: electoral reform, judicial reform, freedom of speech, and security of life and property. They emphasized that credible elections are foundational for legitimate governance and institutional trust, stating that elections determine whether power is accepted as legitimate and whether institutions retain public confidence.
GoNigeria recalled the Justice Mohammed Uwais-led Electoral Reform Committee's recommendations, including ensuring electoral body independence, improving transparency, establishing dispute resolution mechanisms, and enforcing electoral laws. While past reforms like biometric registration and PVCs aimed to reduce manipulation, the coalition noted progress has weakened since 2019 and 2023 polls. Key issues include inconsistent technology application, weak rule enforcement, and reliance on courts for election outcomes.
Survey data shows fewer than half of Nigerians express confidence in the electoral commission, with distrust highest in South-South and South-East regions. Among 18-35-year-olds, nearly three-quarters lack confidence in free and fair elections. GoNigeria cited these figures as a democratic fault line, warning weak systems can lead to violence and unaccountable leadership.
The coalition also raised concerns about manual result transmission during network failures, advocating for clearer guidelines and transparent procedures. Following the recent assent to the Electoral Act 2026, GoNigeria urged authorities to focus on implementation and rebuilding public trust. Their advocacy will prioritize voter registration, informed public debate on transparency, closing the gap between laws and implementation, and amplifying citizen demands for credible elections.