2027: What Nigeria must do to stop post-election violence

Pro-democracy activist Udenta O. Udenta has proposed the institution of the Sovereign Commission for Democratic Sustainability and National Stability to stop political tensions and forestall elections from triggering nationwide crises in Nigeria in 2027.

In an announcement forwarded to PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday, Mr Udenta, a professor, argued that the problem forward of the 2027 basic election was past having a brand new president; the main focus ought to as an alternative be on stopping post-election violence.

There had been 24 deaths from 230 instances of electoral violence in the course of the 2023 basic elections, in accordance to a report by a civil society organisation, Kimpact Development Initiative.

There have been incidents of pre-election violence throughout states in Nigeria because the nation prepares for the 2027 basic election.

But Mr Udenta burdened that the development might be reversed if Nigeria prioritises nationwide unity and democratic stability over particular person political ambitions by organising the fee to deal with the problem forward of the forthcoming 2027 polls.

The professor, a founding nationwide secretary of the now-defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD), contended that “elections cannot, by themselves, build trust or guarantee stability,” including that the primary query was “what becomes of the nation the day after.”

Mr Udenta maintained that “Nigeria’s survival must matter more than the fortunes of any politician,” emphasising that “Nigeria is not” short-term.

How the proposed fee ought to operate 

According to him, the proposed fee ought to convey collectively the present President Bola Tinubu, the incoming president if newly elected, all presidential candidates, nationwide leaders and chairmen of political events.

He added that the fee must also convey collectively leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, and civil society representatives.

Mr Udenta stated the initiative must be designed as a sensible platform for dialogue somewhat than “another committee of former public office holders or political elders issuing communiqués that gather dust.”

On how to stop post-election violence, the professor proposed seven pre-election commitments that every one political events and their presidential candidates ought to make, together with a dedication to take part within the fee’s course of whatever the electoral final result.

He stated membership of the fee ought to be based mostly on “one’s status as a presidential candidate”.

More proposals

Mr Udenta additionally proposed inclusion of a dedication by the winner to convene the fee after the election, set up an 18-month authorities of nationwide unity based mostly on competence, and pursue reforms to cut back the “winner-takes-all” nature of presidential politics within the nation.

The activist additionally proposed extra reforms together with laws for audited public funding of eligible political events, proportional govt illustration, a nationwide dialogue on an afrocentric democratic mannequin and the restoration of cabinet-level particular advisers for inter-party issues and civil society relations.

On political celebration financing, he referenced Germany, Sweden, South Africa, Kenya, Malawi and Tanzania as nations with public subsidy preparations for political events. 

Mr Udenta argued that clear funding tied to verified electoral thresholds would “reduce parties’ dependence on wealthy patrons, encourage stronger organisation and help credible opposition parties survive between elections”.

He maintained that such funding must be ruled by disclosure necessities, impartial audits and penalties for abuse, somewhat than left to the discretion of the ruling celebration.

The professor additionally outlined a timeline for the proposed fee, calling for all presidential candidates to “jointly urge calm and direct disputes through lawful channels” inside 72 hours of the declaration of election outcomes. 

He proposed that the fee ought to maintain its first formal assembly inside 30 days and publish substantive suggestions inside 100 days, requiring a public response from the president.

Mr Udenta warned towards complicated nationwide stability with the suppression of dissent, arguing that “a stable country is not one in which citizens are afraid to speak.”

According to him, real democratic stability requires residents to disagree peacefully, journalists to examine with out intimidation, courts to function with out political interference and peaceable protests not to be criminalised as treason.

He additionally insisted that opposition events must retain their freedom to criticise the federal government.

“A voter who supported the losing candidate does not become less Nigerian when the results are announced,” he stated.

READ ALSO: Ebola: Nigerians hyperlink outbreak to authorities’s 2027 election plans

Stronger federating models 

Beyond electoral reforms, Mr Udenta known as for stronger federating models and subnational establishments to cut back the focus of energy and sources on the centre. 

He argued that extreme centralisation makes management of the federal authorities “an all-or-nothing political contest.”

He additional advocated a political tradition organised round concepts and coverage options somewhat than ethnic affiliations and entrenched political pursuits, envisioning a “national political geography not of ethnicities but of ideological persuasions”.

The professor stated he had begun consultations with residents throughout civil society, academia and the political spectrum to advance the proposal, whereas urging voters to maintain political aspirants accountable earlier than they assume workplace.

“My generation has seen military rule, democratic transitions and the rise and decline of political parties,” he stated.

 “We have learned that no individual is indispensable. Nigeria is. We must leave our children a country in which winning an election brings responsibility, losing one does not mean political extinction, and every citizen remains part of the republic,” Mr Udenta added.

The professor urged Nigerian political leaders to assist construct democracy that belongs to the entire nation somewhat than preserving a system wherein each election threatens to divide it.

“Only our collective commitment to the national interest can determine whether Nigeria endures and thrives,” he acknowledged.