A coalition of political, labour and civil society leaders in Nigeria is rallying for sweeping electoral reforms ahead of the country’s 2027 general elections.
The National Consultative Front (NCFront), working with the Labour and Civil Society Front (LCSF), announced plans to host a National Dialogue on Electoral Reforms on October 1.
The gathering will formally launch a mass campaign to pressure the government into strengthening Nigeria’s electoral laws.
Organizers say the effort is aimed at correcting flaws exposed during the 2023 elections. Key proposals include mandatory electronic transmission of results, stiffer penalties for vote-buying, early and diaspora voting, proportional representation in government, and special seats for women and vulnerable groups.
A wide slate of prominent Nigerians is backing the initiative. Among them are political economist Pat Utomi; former Independent National Electoral Commission chairman Attahiru Jega; senior lawyers Olisa Agbakoba and Femi Falana; Nigeria Labour Congress president Joe Ajaero; former education minister Oby Ezekwesili; policy expert Hakeem Baba-Ahmed; political figures Usman Bugaje, Kingsley Moghalu, and Buba Galadima; and rights advocates Chidi Odinkalu and Samson Itodo.
As part of the campaign, the coalition will unveil a new platform called the Alliance for Defence of Democracy (ADD) during the October dialogue.
The group says ADD will serve as a popular movement to mobilize Nigerians at home and abroad in support of reforms.
The meeting follows resolutions from the recent National Constitutional Summit convened by The Patriots and the Nigeria Political Summit Group, where stakeholders underscored the urgency of strengthening Nigeria’s electoral framework.
