By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
A non governmental organization, ADOPT A GOAL INITIATIVE, in collaboration with the Coalition of Civil Societies (CSOs), has commemorated the third anniversary of the passing of Ariyo Dare Atoye, a tireless advocate for electoral reform and integrity.
To commemorate the anniversary, voices from across the civil society community have renewed calls for deepened electoral reform and institutional integrity under the new leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Joash Amupitan.
This was contained in a statement issued by Kunle Afolabi, Acting Executive Director for ADOPT A GOAL FOR DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE on Sunday in Abuja.
Atoye, who died in October 2022 at the age of 41 after battling lung cancer, was a fearless campaigner for electoral justice, transparency and accountability.
He is remembered for his extraordinary role in mobilising civic action that culminated in the passage of the Electoral Act 2022, one of Nigeria’s most consequential democratic reforms in recent decades.
As the nation reflects on Atoye’s legacy, the statement said attention should now turn to Prof Joash Amupitan, the recently appointed INEC Chairman.
Civil society groups and pro-democracy advocates have expressed hope that his tenure will uphold and build upon the foundations of reform that Atoye and others helped establish.
Afolabi urged Prof Amupitan to prioritise electoral transparency, public trust, and institutional independence, while ensuring full implementation of the technological and legal innovations embedded in the 2022 Act.
He also emphasised the need for renewed collaboration between INEC and civil society to sustain voter education, combat vote-buying and restore confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of upcoming off-cycle and general elections.
“The best tribute to Atoye’s memory is not in words, but in action,” the statement said.
“Let INEC under Prof. Amupitan prove that the sacrifices of reformers like Atoye were not in vain”, it added.
Atoye’s friends and colleagues describe him as a patriot who believed that democracy must not only exist on paper but also work for the people.
His life’s work remains a call to conscience for political leaders, institutions and citizens alike.
“He (Atoye)saw electoral integrity as the foundation of every other reform,” Afolabi said.
“If you fix elections, you fix governance, that was his message”, he added.
He was widely known for his Adopt-a-Goal initiative, a movement that galvanised citizens and civil society groups to pressure the National Assembly to pass the long-delayed Electoral Act.
According to Afolabi, Atoye’s activism transformed public engagement around election integrity.
“He inspired a generation to believe that peaceful civic pressure can yield democratic transformation,” Afolabi recalled.
“Atoye didn’t just talk about reform, he organised it, lived it and paid the price for it”, he added.
Through relentless advocacy and collaboration with coalitions such as the Centre for Liberty and other civil society organisations, Atoye helped keep electoral reform on the national agenda.
His Adopt-a-Goal campaign became a rallying point for Nigerians demanding credible elections.
He urged citizens to “peacefully occupy the National Assembly” in 2021 to compel lawmakers to pass the Electoral Act, a nonviolent but powerful call that symbolised civic determination for democratic accountability.
The eventual Electoral Act 2022, which Atoye championed, delivered far-reaching reforms.
The reforms include empowering INEC to deploy technology for voter accreditation and the electronic transmission of results and mandating early release of election funding to enhance planning and credibility.
Others are extending electoral timelines to strengthen preparedness and reduce last-minute litigation and promoting inclusion, especially for persons with disabilities.
The reforms also clarify candidate succession procedures, ensuring continuity and legal certainty in the event of a candidate’s death during an election.
These provisions were designed to make Nigeria’s elections more transparent, inclusive and accountable, values Atoye dedicated his life to promoting.
Three years after his passing, Atoye’s ideals continue to resonate in Nigeria’s civic and political discourse.
As the country looks to the future under a new INEC leadership, Afolabi said the responsibility to safeguard his legacy and the reforms he fought for rests on all stakeholders in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
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