Introduction and Background
The 27th Anti-Corruption Situation Room (ACSR) was themed: “Towards Nigeria’s 2023 General Elections” with the objective to seek to re-evaluate the situation and discuss those issues capable of affecting the sanctity of the forthcoming general elections. This is with a view to sensitizing relevant stakeholders and towards making agenda-setting recommendations to key stakeholders in capable of affecting the sanctity of the forthcoming general elections.
The event, was attended by over 50 stakeholders from the state and non-state actors across Nigeria including Mr. Tony Ojukwu SAN, Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Hajia Saudatu Mahdi MFR, Secretary General, Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), Mrs Mma Odi, General Secretary Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE Nigeria), Mr. Tijah Bolton-Akpan, Executive Director, Policy Alert, Dr. Bukola Adebayo, Founder, Human and Organizational Resources Development Centre (HORDC), Hamzat Lawal, Executive Director, Connected Development (CODE), Commandant Remi Ekundayo of NSCDC, Dr. Chido Onumah, AFRICMIL, represented by Mr Godwin Onyeacholem; and Barr. Mike Igini, a Former Resident Electoral Commissioner, INEC who delivered the keynote speech, among others.
Following the lead presentation, three panel discussions and extensive deliberations, the following communique was adopted:
Observations
Participants observed that:
- Multi-stakeholders’ collective responsibility is below par as their contribution make or mar the electoral process.
- Withholding of voters’ card by political candidates and agents pose a big threat to free, fair and credible elections come 2023.
- The judicial system is still struggling with high profile corruption cases especially politicians who have not been tried and still contesting for offices in the next general elections.
- Vote trading and poverty in the country also pose threats to the corruption-free election Nigeria seeks to actualize at the 2023 polls.
- Corruption poses an existential threat to Nigeria election such that if the country is able to tame it, every other thing will be addressed.
- The judiciary is culpable in undermining the electoral system in Nigeria, by systematically delaying the electoral tribunal cases more than it is required.
Recommendations
Participants recommended that:
- The media, beyond being the watchdog, should step up their game in scrutinizing political candidates and call for citizens’ full participation in the forthcoming general elections.
- Relevant stakeholders should monitor the judicial system in ensuring that they abide by the rule of law and are not being used by politicians to undermine the electoral process.
- Security personnel through relevant security agencies should be educated and trained on electoral duties and made to understand the gravity of their actions should they be compromised in the discharge of their duties.
- Civil Society Organizations should continually engage and create awareness of the 2022 electoral act to the citizens, political parties, candidates and security agencies.
- The Political finances legal framework beyond INEC act should be looked into as loopholes in the political financing during elections encourages corruption, vote trading and bribery.
- As the country moves into election campaigns period, the Law Enforcement Agencies should gear up to enforce the laws on campaign finances as enshrined.
- EFCC, NFIU should intensify their tracking on the huge illegal financial flows from political parties, candidates before and during elections.
- Calls for strategic partnership with CSO, Law enforcement agencies and the media to stem the tide of electoral corruption practices.
- Media should be professional and factual in reporting to hold corrupt politicians accountable.
- Security of the voters before, during and after election should be prioritized by the federal and state government in collaboration with relevant security agencies.
- Participation of the electorates should be made a priority.
- Nigerians should be involved in political participation and engagement for a better Nigeria.
27th ACSR REPORT
2023 Polls: HEDA Holds ACSR Stakeholders Engagement, Issues Communique on Electoral Integrity
…. We organized to brainstorm on ways to ensure integrity of the 2023 polls – HEDA Chairman
As part of her core mandates in ensuring good governance in Nigeria, the foremost civil society organization, Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has sensitized relevant stakeholders and made agenda-setting recommendations to key stakeholders ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
The civil society group’s 27th Anti-Corruption Situation Room (ACSR) themed: “Towards Nigeria’s 2023 General Elections” held in Abuja seek to re-evaluate the situation and discuss those issues capable of affecting the sanctity of the forthcoming general elections.
Speaking during his lead presentation on the Electoral Act 2022 assessment at the event, the former INEC Akwa Ibom Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barrister Mike Igini maintained that power has been returned to the Nigerian electorate following the introduction of electronic technology – Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), making manipulation of election result almost impossible.
Igini, who charged citizens with political participation, also urged the electorate to keep vigil over their votes during the 2023 general elections and ensure compliance with the electoral law.
On his part, Chairman, HEDA Resource Centre, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju said that the event was organized to brainstorm on ways of ensuring the integrity of the 2023 elections. He further noted that fixing Nigeria’s electoral challenges would address the country’s development problems.
However, following the lead presentation, three panel discussions and extensive deliberations, some observations and recommendations were adopted as communique from the event for stakeholders to implement ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
Meanwhile, some observations raised by the participants include the multi-stakeholders collective responsibility below par as their contribution make or mar the electoral process; withholding of voters’ cards by political candidates and agents; vote trading and poverty in the country; corruption among others.
Part of the recommendations adopted at the anti-corruption event reads in part, “The media, beyond being the watchdog, should step up their game in scrutinizing political candidates and call for citizens’ full participation in the forthcoming general elections. They should be professional and factual in reporting to hold corrupt politicians accountable.
“Relevant stakeholders should monitor the judicial system in ensuring that they abide by the rule of law and are not being used by politicians to undermine the electoral process. Security personnel through relevant security agencies should be educated and trained on electoral duties and made to understand the gravity of their actions should they be compromised in the discharge of their duties.
“Civil Society Organizations should continually engage and create awareness of the 2022 electoral act to the citizens, political parties, candidates and security agencies. The Law Enforcement Agencies should gear up to enforce the laws on campaign finances as enshrined.”
It continues, “The political finance legal framework beyond the INEC act should be looked into as loopholes in the political financing during elections encourage corruption, vote trading and bribery. EFCC, NFIU should also intensify their tracking on the huge illegal financial flows from political parties, candidates before and during elections.
Participants also called for strategic partnership with CSO, Law enforcement agencies and the media to stem the tide of electoral corruption practices. They further enjoined stakeholders on Nigerians involvement in political participation and engagement for a better Nigeria.
“Participation of the electorates should be made a priority and the security of the voters before, during and after election should be prioritized by the federal and state government in collaboration with relevant security agencies.
