ActionAid harps on reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

ActionAid Nigeria, has advocated far reaching reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral system.
Sequel to evaluation of the conduct of the 2023 general elections and post election litigations, Technical Working Group (TWG) of ActionAid Nigeria noticed the gaps within the Electoral Act 2023, which necessitated reforms and policy advocacy by ActionAid Nigeria.
Consequent to the above, ActionAid Nigeria advocated that pre-election matters should be determined before the election, with most matters (except presidential and gubernatorial elections) ending at the Court of Appeal, adding that the change aligns with constitutional provisions.
These reforms by the Technical Working Group (TWG) of ActionAid Nigeria, are part of activities of the Citizens’ Led Engagements on Judicial Accountability in Post-Election Justice Delivery in Nigeria, (CLEAP-Justice) project.
The reforms and advocacy policy by the TWG were presented to judiciary correspondents during an interactive meeting on Tuesday, on the first phase of it’s CLEAP-Justice project.
In her opening remarks, Coordinator of ActionAid CLEAP-Justice Project, Adesuwa Iluobe, who moderated the meeting, stated that the recommendations were made after appraisal and review of the some of the contentious judgments at the various election petition tribunals.
Also speaking, Oyin Bamigbaye, of ActionAid Nigeria, explained that the meeting was part of activities for the ongoing CLEAP-Justice Project.