In a bid to rebuild trust in Nigeria's electoral process and institutions, the International Press Centre (IPC) in collaboration with the European Union (EU) held a one-day multi-stakeholder dialogue in Awka, Anambra State capital. The event, which took place on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at the Hilton Leisure Resort & Hotel, brought together key stakeholders in the electoral process, including the leadership of INEC, representatives of political parties, security agencies, traditional and religious institutions, CSOs, EUSDGN partners, the media, women, youths, students, labour unions, traditional rulers and community leaders.
The dialogue aimed to foster insightful discourse among stakeholders, deepen commitments to multi-sectoral collaborative frameworks, and prepare for the 2025 midterm Election in Anambra state and the general election in 2027. It also sought to address and mitigate negative perceptions held by citizens regarding elections in Nigeria, rebuild public trust, and galvanize the support of critical stakeholders.
The host, Mr. Lanre Arogundade the Executive Director, International Press Center (IPC) who was represented by Stella Nwofia, Programme Manager IPC thanked stakeholders for finding time to come for the one day program. He warmly welcomed the pivotal Multi-Stakeholders Dialogue on Rebuilding Trust in the Electoral Process and Elections. He said that this forum marks the sixth in a series of dialogues across major cities in Nigeria, aiming to gather insights from all geopolitical zones and foster collaboration to improve future elections.
"We recognize the vital role every stakeholder plays in the electoral process, including electoral bodies, civil society organizations, traditional institutions, and media professionals."
"Our discussions today will focus on rebuilding trust and fostering collaboration to strengthen our electoral system. We will hear from a diverse range of stakeholders, including INEC, the Police, and civil society organizations. This dialogue is timely, as we seek further reforms to amend the Constitution and the Electoral Act (2022)."
He therefore encouraged everyone to contribute their valuable insights, which will be shared with relevant authorities to foster a wider conversation on enhancing our democratic processes.
The host said that their is need for Nigerians to know their political rights and also the need for them to participate fully in the electoral process. She said that IPC,EU and SDG, is geared towards ensuring that the EU's support to democratic governance in Nigeria is geared towards citizenship education, on their role towards the Electoral Process.
Dr. Nwachukwu Orji from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu State, delivering the lead paper on "Rebuilding Trust in the Electoral Processes and Institutions: Perspectives on Role of Key Stakeholders, dwelled more building trust as feedback from the street and on the media have it that the Electoral Process has witnessed a decline since 1999. He stressed that addressing this decline will help raise the level of trust in the system, especially as it concerns the citizens. He said that addressing this issue should start with the legal framework, electoral administration, INEC and the citizens. He also stressed that much of the blame should not be heaped on INEC as their are other factors inherent in this lack of trust in the political environment.
The presentation was followed by key interventions from electoral experts and stakeholders, with the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Anambra state Dr Mrs Elizabeth Agwu adding her voice, she said that INEC is ready and have also been on standby to perform their basic duty, which is to register political parties, issue guidelines and also conduct elections. She however called on the citizens to also play their role in the Electoral Process, by participating actively, as they are just empires in the electoral process.
In the same vein the Commissioner of Police Anambra State CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, who was duly represented by the Public Relations Officer of Anambra Police Command SP Ikenga Tochukwu, said that the Nigeria Police Force commends the forum and it's organizers for thinking outb of the box. He said, " I am happy to say that this kind of forum is coming at the right time, especially when Anambra will be going into a series of elections starting with the replacement of Late Senator Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, whose Election will be held in Anambra South Senatorial District, which will be preceded by the governorship Election on the 8th of November 2025."
He promised to work with INEC to give protection to Journalists and election observers, and also called on INEC and the media to do more to inform the citizens on the need to re establish trust.
The forum provided a platform for stakeholders to share observations and recommendations on how to deepen the process for credible elections in Nigeria. It emphasized the importance of collaboration among INEC, the media, CSOs, law enforcement agencies, political party leaders, youths, women, and citizens in promoting electoral integrity.
Key stakeholders who contributed to the discuss include Mr.Uche. Osuoji, Anambra state IPAC Chairman, Mr. Ajaegbu Edozie, state Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA) Anambra, CP. Nnaghe Obono Itam, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Okadigbo Edwin, State PRO Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Humphrey Chukwuemeka Nwafor, State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Chris Ogbonna, state Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC) Anambra and Mr. Emeka Obi, state chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria.
Others include, Ms Tochukwu Ifejika, Anambra (NAWOJ), Dr Emeka Odogwu PhD, Anambra NUJ Chairman, Mr. Ugo Okeke, Joint Association of Persons with Disability ( JONAPWD), Barrister Bona Orakwue, Chairman of NBA (Awka Branch), Alhaji Garba Haruna, Muslim Community Leader, Anambra, Ven. Joe Nweke, CAN Chairman, Anambra, HRH, Igwe Pius Omachonu, Secretary, Traditional Rulers Council Anambra
The EU's support for democratic governance in Nigeria is part of its broader efforts to promote democratic governance and electoral integrity in the country . The IPC, as the lead implementing partner of Component 4 (Support to Media) of the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria-Phase 2 (EUSDGN II) project, has been at the forefront of promoting media and civil society-driven initiatives to enhance credible elections in Nigeria.