Atiku Abubakar Presents Nine Key Requests to the Federal Government before 2027 Voting
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar Calls for Electoral and Judicial Reforms Ahead of 2027 Elections
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has urged for urgent reforms in the electoral and judicial sectors in preparation for the 2027 elections. Abubakar's call comes amid concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and the shifting of power from the people to the courts.
In a recent statement, Abubakar highlighted the need for the compulsory electronic transmission of election results in the upcoming polls. He proposed that electronic transmission of results should be the basis for collation at all levels, from Ward Collation Centers to the National Collation Center, with no provision for manual collation.
To ensure transparency and accountability, Abubakar has also proposed the mandatory use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for voter accreditation and the upload of election results. He believes that these measures will help to return the power to the people to choose their leaders.
Abubakar has also expressed concern about the influence of judges in determining who holds power and shifting legitimacy from voters to the courts. In response, he has called for far-reaching electoral and judicial reforms to ensure electoral integrity and strengthen public confidence.
One of the key reforms proposed by Abubakar is the amendment of the 2022 Electoral Act. He has demanded that the positions of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Resident Electoral Commissioners, and the National Electoral Commissioners be subjected to a democratic voting by the people.
Abubakar has also called for INEC to prove substantial compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Constitution in the conduct of the election in an election petition, not the petitioner. This reform is aimed at enhancing the credibility and fairness of the electoral process.
In addition, Abubakar has commended the enthusiasm of Nigerians in the ongoing continuous voter registration. He believes that this initiative will increase voter turnout in future elections and help to ensure that the voices of the people are heard.
However, the Nigerian government has not yet publicly announced specific measures to implement Abubakar's demands for reforming the elections and electoral judiciary for the 2027 elections, based on the available information.
Abubakar's call for electoral and judicial reforms comes at a critical time in Nigeria's democratic journey. With the 2023 elections having seen an all-time low voter turnout of 26.72%, there is a pressing need for measures that will encourage greater participation and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
As the 2027 elections approach, it remains to be seen whether the Nigerian government will heed Abubakar's call and take steps to reform the electoral and judicial sectors to ensure a free and fair election.
