Utomi, Jega, Ezekwesili, others to launch the Election Reform Platform on October 1

A leading Nigerian coalition, including prominent academics, civil society leaders, and labor figures, has announced plans to uncover the new election reform initiative known as an alliance for Democratic Defense (ADD) on October 1.

This initiative was revealed in a statement issued on Sunday by Hamisu San Turaki, a spokesman for the National Consultative Front (NCFRONT).

According to the statement, ADD will be inaugurated during the national dialogue on election reforms that will be held on October 1, which will be handled by labor leaders, civil society actors, and supporters of democracy.

The platform, according to its syringe, will function as a “popular alternative movement to encourage and compile a campaign and mobilization process for critical election reform ahead of the 2027 general election.”

Among the main promoters is the famous political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi; Former Chairman of the Independent National Election Commission (Inec), Prof. Attahiru Jega; and former Minister of Education, Dr. OBY EZEKWESILI.

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Others were President of the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero; Nigerian Senior Advocate, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba and Mr. Femi Falana; and Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former special advisor about political issues to the President of Bola Tinubu.

Also giving the weight to this movement is the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank and the President of the African Governance School, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu; Head of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Buba Galadima; Together with several leading activists and leaders of thought.

“The National Consultative Front, in collaboration with the community and civil community front, will launch a mass and movement campaign during the major national dialogue on election reforms to mobilize Nigerian homes and abroad for critical reform in the Nigerian election framework ahead of the 2027 elections,” the statement said.

He added that the platform would “encourage critical reforms in the law of Nigerian selection, especially those that reduced the credibility of the 2023 election,” quoting the mandatory electronic transmission, the criminalization of vote purchases, the enactment of initial voting and diaspora, proportional representation, and the provision of special chairs for women and vulnerable groups.

The initiator further emphasized that the meeting of October 1 “would mark the beginning of the new mass movement to mobilize the Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to encourage broad reforms in the country’s election system.”

Other prominent Nigerians who are expected to participate including the Ambassador of Nkoyo Toyo, Dr. Usman Bugaje, Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim, Barrris Clem Nwankwo, Prophet Isah El-Buba, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, Dr. Boy Magoro, and Mr. Samson Itodo.

NCFront remember that some of its members had previously taken part in the New National Constitution Summit held by the leading Nigeria under the auspices of Patriot and the Nigerian Political Summit group, noting that “ADD launch is a continuation of collective encouragement to protect and deepen democracy in Nigeria.”