By Abubakar Yunusa
Youth groups under the Youth-led Electoral Reform Project (YERP_Naija) on Friday urged members of the National Assembly to vote in favour of critical constitutional and electoral amendments as lawmakers begin deliberations on proposed reforms.
At a press conference in Abuja, the Head of Research and Strategy at Kimpact Development Initiative, Oluwafemi Adebayo, speaking on behalf of the consortium, said the priorities being pushed by young Nigerians must be adopted to strengthen transparency, justice, and public trust in the country’s elections.
He said youth representatives across the six geopolitical zones had agreed on core demands, backed by a survey of more than 400 young Nigerians and subjected to expert review before being submitted to the legislature.
According to him, “Nigeria stands at an important turning point in its democratic development,” adding that lawmakers have shown growing attention to youth-backed proposals.
The consortium—coordinated by KDI in the North Central, JESZ Development Foundation (North West), Connected Advocacy (South South), Child Protection and Peer Learning Initiative (North East), New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative (South West), and Catch Them Young Community Initiative (South East)—said young Nigerians have helped place electoral reform at the centre of national discourse.
It identified four constitutional amendments that are critical to democratic growth and likely to be put to vote. These include the conclusion of all pre-election cases before election day, the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission, independent candidacy, and the creation of reserved seats for women in state and federal legislatures.
Adebayo explained that prolonged election litigation undermines fairness and public confidence, while a dedicated offences commission would deter vote-buying, violence, and manipulation.
He added that providing for independent candidacy would open political space to young people, women, persons with disabilities, and other marginalised groups who are often edged out of party primaries.
On reserved seats for women, he noted that only five per cent of Nigeria’s 1,459 legislators are women, despite women constituting nearly half of the population.
“Equity and justice demand safeguards that give women, especially young women, a fair chance to be elected,” he said.
On the Electoral Act, the youth groups called for mandatory electronic transmission of results and a truly continuous voter registration system.
They argued that making electronic transmission compulsory would reduce manipulation during collation and restore public trust.
They also noted that millions of eligible citizens are shut out each election cycle due to prolonged suspension of voter registration, insisting that registration should be open year-round at INEC offices.
“These reforms reflect urgent public demands,” Adebayo stressed, adding that they also reduce disputes for lawmakers and strengthen the legitimacy of elected officials ahead of the 2027 elections.
The group urged lawmakers to act with patriotism and put national interest above partisan considerations as voting begins.
YERP_Naija also called on civil society, journalists, youth networks, and civic groups to sustain pressure on elected representatives.
“The future of electoral accountability and public trust rests on decisions made at this moment,” Adebayo said.
Meanwhile, the Assistant Programmes Manager at the Centre for Democracy and Development, West Africa, Agadu Elijah, threw his organisation’s weight behind the youth demands.
He urged lawmakers to seize the moment, saying, “This is an opportunity for the National Assembly to write its name in gold.”
The consortium, supported by the National Democratic Institute, reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the reforms are passed and implemented ahead of the next general elections.
