A prominent youth advocacy group is intensifying pressure on Nigeria's National Assembly, demanding crucial constitutional amendments to fundamentally reshape the nation's electoral landscape and restore public trust.
Overhauling INEC's Leadership Selection
Map Development Initiative, acting as the Southwest partner under the Youth Political Participation (YPP) Electoral Reform Consortium, has presented a bold proposal. The consortium, coordinated by Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) and supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), is calling for an end to the President's exclusive power to appoint the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The group specifically wants Sections 153 and 154 of the 1999 Constitution altered. Their proposal seeks to remove presidential discretion in appointing the INEC Chairman, National Commissioners, and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs). Instead, they advocate for establishing a special non-partisan selection committee comprising representatives from reputable national institutions.
The current system, the group argues, is vulnerable to political influence. A transparent, merit-based process would significantly strengthen public confidence in INEC's neutrality and reduce widespread perceptions of bias.
Expediting Electoral Justice
Beyond leadership appointments, the coalition is pushing for a major acceleration of the electoral justice timeline. They demand that all pre-election cases must be conclusively resolved before election day. Furthermore, all post-election litigation must be settled before the winner's inauguration into office.
To make this feasible, the group has asked the National Assembly to amend Section 285 of the constitution. The proposed changes include shortening the legal timelines for both pre-election and post-election cases, adjusting jurisdictional rules for the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, and introducing eligibility thresholds for filing petitions.
The coalition highlighted that prolonged election litigation creates unfair advantages, places immense pressure on the judiciary, and often allows candidates with unresolved cases to assume office. "Timely adjudication ensures fairness, reduces political tension, and aligns electoral justice with democratic expectations," the group stated.
A Dedicated Body for Electoral Offences
A third major pillar of their reform agenda is the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission. The group is urging the passage of an enabling Act and related constitutional adjustments to empower an independent body with the mandate to investigate and prosecute electoral crimes.
They argue that pervasive issues like violence, vote-buying, voter intimidation, and a culture of impunity severely undermine the integrity of elections. A dedicated commission would professionalise investigations, ensure greater accountability, and serve as a strong deterrent against manipulative practices that compromise the will of Nigerian voters.
