A new coalition named Save Democracy Mega Alliance 2027 (SDMA’27) has launched an initiative aimed at amending Nigeria’s Constitution to remove the President’s authority over the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and state governors’ power over State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs). This move is intended to curtail executive influence in the electoral and judicial systems by transferring appointment powers to an independent body.
During a press briefing in Abuja, spokesperson Comrade Tony Akeni Le Moin announced that the coalition would formally launch its campaign across all states, culminating in a “boot camp” finale in Abuja. The coalition’s primary focus lies in two key constitutional amendments: removing the appointment powers from the President and governors concerning INEC, SIEC, and judiciary heads, and transferring these responsibilities to a body comprised of non-partisan, integrity-vetted individuals.
The coalition has received endorsements from prominent leaders and pro-democracy groups across the nation, including political economist Professor Pat Utomi. Utomi hailed the movement as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s democracy since 1999, referencing the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform report, which similarly recommended reforms to insulate INEC and the judiciary from executive influence. He asserted that such reforms are crucial for fostering fair elections and improving governance.
SDMA’27’s Three-Point Plan:
- Mobilizing National Consensus: The coalition plans to engage political, religious, and civil society networks to create a unified demand for constitutional reform.
- Building Momentum for a National Conference: SDMA’27 aims to convene a National Conference to formally propose the desired amendments.
- Lobbying Legislative Bodies: The coalition intends to lobby both the National and State Assemblies to eliminate executive influence over INEC and the judiciary.
In its call to action, SDMA’27 warned that without these reforms, the 2027 elections are likely to witness a repetition of past electoral manipulations. They invoked the words of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. regarding the necessity of organized resistance, urging Nigerians to prepare for what they term a “national emergency” to restore the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.