Shettima, Abdulsalami, Atiku to speak at conference on electoral reforms Monday

Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Abdulsalami Abubakar, a former head of state, and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar are billed to speak at a conference on electoral reforms in Abuja on Monday.

Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano, and Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra, as well as former Ghana Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia are also billed to attend the event.

While Bawumia will be the keynote speaker at the two-day event, Jibrin Ibrahim, a professor, will speak on challenges and prospects going into Nigeria’s 2027 general election.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Otive Igbuzor, executive director, African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, said his organisation is committed to addressing the “complexities and setbacks” of the country’s democratic system.

“The very purpose of the conference lies in a vision for a democracy that is genuine, resilient, and inclusive,” Igbuzor said.

“As many of us know, Nigeria’s democratic journey, though spanning 25 years of uninterrupted civilian rule, is beset by structural and functional flaws. These range from electoral malpractices, ineffective political parties, and weakened governance structures to pervasive corruption and a concerning erosion of public trust.

“Despite decades of democratic practice, the realities faced by Nigerians today often reflect disillusionment rather than hope.

“The goal of the conference, therefore, is to reignite hope, rebuild trust, and lay out a road map toward a strengthened democratic system that serves all Nigerians with integrity and accountability.
First, we recognize an urgent need for democratic reforms.

“At the heart of our democratic challenges lies the pressing requirement for a political environment free of manipulation, imposition, and exclusion.

“For too long, the political landscape in Nigeria has been dominated by elite cliques, leaving citizens feeling alienated from the governance processes that directly impact their lives.

“Our aim through the conference is to initiate reform efforts that will strengthen our electoral process and ensure that our leadership selection process is credible.”

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WfD), Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA) and National Peace Committee are other organisations collaborating with the African centre on the event.