By Laraba Usman
The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) has called for urgent electoral reforms and greater public awareness to guarantee free and fair elections.
The group made the call on Thursday in Gombe during a town hall meeting organised for the North East region.
Academics and civil society organisations came together to discuss ways to improve Nigeria’s democratic system.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Abdulkadir Saleh of the Department of Political Science, Gombe State University, stressed that credible elections are very important for a stable democracy.
He warned that poor election processes can reduce public trust and cause a crisis of legitimacy.
“We are helping citizens understand that credible elections are the foundation of democracy. Any system that brings leaders through questionable means can weaken governance and affect national stability,” he said.
Saleh advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain neutral and professional, and said there is a need to review the current electoral system in line with global best practices.
He added that countries with much larger populations have shown that elections can be managed well, urging Nigeria to improve its systems and processes.
He also called for timely and adequate funding for INEC, as well as strong protection of its independence from political interference, which he said is important for credible results.
Also speaking, Dr. Ramatu Buba, Department of Political Science, pointed out long-standing problems in Nigeria’s electoral system, including vote-buying, irregularities, and weak transparency.
She further expressed hope that continuous public engagement and voter education can bring real change.
“For a long time, Nigerians have wanted credible elections. With continuous awareness and cooperation among stakeholders, citizens will be better able to make informed decisions,” she said.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of MCE, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, said the movement is working across the country to encourage citizens to demand accountability and honesty in the electoral process.
“Credible elections produce credible leadership and good governance. Our aim is to take this message to all parts of the country,” he said.
He called for a full review of the current Electoral Act to reflect the wishes of the people and improve inclusiveness, added transmission of election results, and stronger protection of voters’ rights.
He also urged Nigerians to reject vote-buying and vote responsibly, stressing that the future of the country depends on wise and informed choices.
“Democracy can only succeed when citizens take part actively and demand accountability. The power to shape Nigeria’s future lies with the people,” he added.
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