Coalition holds national summit on electronic transmission of election results

A national coalition of political stakeholders and leaders of thought in Nigeria has convened a national summit on Electronic Transmission of Election Results towards strengthening democracy and improving transparency of elections in Nigeria. the summit is part of the activities to mark Nigeria’s 61^st Independence Anniversary as well as the launch of the coalition into a formal political organization.

The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the coalition in a statement by Prof Pat Utomi, on Wednesday sent out invitation to compatriots to attend the national emergency political summit on Nigeria’s electoral reforms towards the historic launch of a major nonpartisan, National Coalition of All Political Stakeholders and Leaders of Thought for the adoption of electronic transmission of election results in Nigeria in commemoration of Nigeria’s 61st independence anniversary on Friday, 1st October, 2021 in Abuja.

Professor Utomi highlighted that election is a major plank of democracy, noting that if any electoral process is susceptible to rigging and malpractices, then, such democracy loses its credibility and sanctity. He stated that it is, therefore, quite worrisome that elections in Nigeria have been riddled by malpractices and rigging since the inception of the present civilian rule, thereby causing the majority of Nigerian citizens to lose faith in Nigerian democracy as well as the Nigerian State.

Prof. Utomi pointed out that these unfortunate flaws and pitfalls of the Nigeria electoral system have greatly eroded the legitimacy of the Nigerian State to the extent that seemingly elected  governments are presently contending with different forms of political instability, insecurity and sabotage orchestrated by the governed, having failed to provide good governance and dividends of democracy for the majority of the citizens, owing to crisis of stolen mandate and inept leadership foisted by rigged elections.

“However, our investigations and national consultations have revealed that one major factor and alibi for electoral malpractices and rigging in Nigeria is the manual/physical transfer of election results in Nigeria, which is archaic, problematic and prone to abuse and infractions.

“Consequently, Stakeholders across party divides and sectional lines, including the elections management body, INEC, have come to ac that the country is due for electronic transmission of election results to overcome at least 50% of the basis for electoral malpractices in Nigeria.

“But some powerful lawmakers in the National Assembly, especially, those from the ruling party and their sponsors, who are the greatest beneficiaries of the current manipulable election results transfer mode, have decided to constitute a barrier to yearnings and aspirations of majority of Nigerians for the country to adopt electronic transmission of election results,” Utomi declared.

He stated that it is therefore consequent upon the above stated electoral challenge in Nigeria that the National Consultative Front (NCFront), an emergent Pan Nigerian platform of eminent Leaders of Conscience mobilising to save Nigeria from wrong and inept leadership is inviting your esteemed person to ADDRESS a historic National Intervention Summit convened to launch a formidable national electoral alliance and coalition of all likeminded political stakeholders, Leaders of thought, Civil Society and Labour Leaders across sectional divide; to mobilise Nigerians and pressurize the Nigerian government to adopt electronic transmission of election results for the 2023 elections.

Utomi stated that the historic launch of the new national political coalition for the adoption of electronic transmission of election results, scheduled for Friday, 1st October, 2021 in commemoration of the 61st Independence Anniversary of Nigeria, will hold at the Gurara Hall of Rockview Hotels (Classic) Wuse 2, Abuja, from 2.00pm.

According to Utomi, “the summit will be co-chaired by Prof Atahiru Jega, former INEC Chairman and Dr Olisa Agbakoba SAN, former President of CLO and NBA, who will both give Opening Remarks at the event under the Theme: “Restoring the Credibility of Democracy and Legitimacy of the Nigerian State: The Imperative For Electronic Transmission of Election Results.”

He added that the National Summit is also expected to receive keynotes and goodwill messages from invited former Presidents and Vice Presidents of Nigeria as well as likeminded serving and former Governors and Key Leaders of the Nigerian Civil Society and Labour Movement, among others.

It was highlighted that key participants and speakers invited to play key roles in the nonpartisan national coalition include, Rt Hon Ghali Umar Naa’aba, former Speaker of the House of Representatives; Prof Pat Utomi, former presidential candidate; Dr. Sule Hamma, former Secretary to the Government of Kano State; Dr. Usman Bugaje, former House of Reps Member, Dr. Olu Agunloye, National Chairman of SDP and former minister; Amb. Tokunbo Awolowo Dosunmu, former Ambassador of Nigeria, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, frontline media mogul; Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN, foremost constitutional and human rights lawyer; Femi Fálànà SAN, foremost human rights lawyer; Dr Oby Ezekwesili, former Minister; Adewole Adebayo, foremost constitutional lawyer in the US; Prof Kingsley Moghalu, former presidential candidate; Senator Shehu Sani, foremost civil rights activist; Chief Raph Okey Nwosu, National Chairman, ADC; Barr Dan Nwanyawu, National Chairman, ZLP; Engr Buba Galadima, Expert on Electoral Reforms; Past Ituah Ighodalo; Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed, Spokesperson, Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Amb Nkoyo Toyo, former member, House of Reps, Prof Jibo Ibrahim, Civil Society Leader, Mallam Bello Falalu, National Chairman, PRP, Father George Ehusani, Engr Sanni Yabagi, National Chairman, ADP, Dr Osagie Obayuwana, Former Chairman of NCP and Chair, CDHR, Prof Chidi Odinkalu, Former Chair, National Human Rights Commission, Alhaji Shettimah Yerima, Leader, Arewa Youths, Comrade Joe Ajaero, Deputy President, NLC, Hadjia Najatu Mohammed, Foremost Woman Activist, Comrade Promise Adewusi, Former Deputy President of NLC, Chief Precious Elekima, Chairman, PLIF, Dr Tanko Yunusa, Former Presidential Candidate, Arc Nya-Etok, Ezekiel, DG, Nigeria First Movement, High Chief Peter Ameh, National Secretary, CUPP and Immediate Erstwhile Chairman of IPAC, Dr Monday Ubani, Chairman, Public Interest Section of NBA, Engr Hon Mrs Janet Adeyemi, Coordinator, Women in Mining, Dr Sadique Gombe of the RNP, Hon Dr Olu Usim Wilson, Women Leader, Dr Sam Amadi, Constitutional Lawyer and Scholar, Leaders of Frontline Civil Society Groups currently working on Electoral Reforms in Nigeria such as YAIGA, CDD, CISLAC, Situation Room, PLAC, TMG, among others.