The 2023 national election in the country was believed to be fraught with trust issues eroding the confidence of many in Nigeria as a democratic state.
Concerned by this, the International Press Centre (IPC) as part of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria-Phase 2 (EUSDGN II) project, organised a dialogue on rebuilding trust in electoral processes, involving diverse stakeholders on the way forward for a nascent democracy in Nigeria.
The discourse entitled ‘Multi-stakeholders Dialogue on Rebuilding Trust in the Electoral Process, Institutions and Elections’ had experts from diverse sectors brainstorm on a collaborative approach of rebuilding trust in the nation’s electoral process and institutions using the 2023 general elections as a case note.
In his paper entitled ‘Deepening Commitments for Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration in Rebuilding Trust in the Electoral Process and Institutions’, Professor Isaac Albert, x-rayed the disappointments of the last general elections saying that all the problems accrued from the polls would negatively affect participation in future elections in Nigeria, hence the need to rebuild trust.
Some of the disappointments according to him can be seen through the hunger across the land, workers’ restiveness and the Japa syndrome, among others.
He outlined some commitment domains to rebuilding trust to include President Tinubu’s renewed hope; the ongoing review of the 1999 constitution; ongoing Police reforms; reforming the judiciary; CSOs’ resilience in an atmosphere of dwindling resources and shrinking civic space as well as the international development agencies’ resilience
Continuing, the university said there was a need to deepen commitment to building trust because there is no alternative to democracy and elections remain important in the process.
Pointing out that without trust, democracy is a facade, he cited the recent lessons from Africa particularly the Sahel and the show that Nigerians are getting increasingly frustrated as sterling examples.
Going forward he said there was a need for a joint acknowledgement of the problem, developing appropriate conditions for solving the problem (group dynamics, perception and attitudes), joint definition of the problem (separate problems from individuals), generating alternative and viable solutions.
Commitments, he said, can be deepened through peace building in the political, structural and social spheres.
Albert averred that a strategic multi-stakeholder engagement including religious leaders and the media remain key to rebuilding trust in electoral processes and institutions that would establish a Nigeria of true democracy.
Earlier in his welcome speech, the Executive Director of International Press Centre (IPC), Mr. Lanre Arogundade, said the public forum would help shape a better future for the nation’s electoral processes and elections.
He acknowledged that the 2023 elections were fraught with some contentious issues that have created mistrust among Nigerians.
“Perception-wise, misconception-wise, or reality-wise, it cannot be denied that some contentious issues arising from the 2023 elections have created mistrust among Nigerians.
“It’s in the public domain that the elections met with some unexpected challenges which ordinarily shouldn’t overshadow its significant milestones including the meticulous preparation and the use of technology for voting via BVAS which remain highly commendable,” he said.
According to Arogundade, the forum was underscored by the recognition that without rebuilding trust, it might be difficult to get the electoral process right in the next round of off-cycle governorship elections (Edo, Ondo and Anambra States),and in the larger 2027 general elections.
While quoting Frank Sonnenberg as saying, “Trust is like blood pressure. It’s silent, vital to good health, and if abused, it can be deadly,” Arogundade announced that the theme of the public discourse was purposively framed to reflect IPC’s concern that enough searchlight is often not beamed on the conduct of some other key players in the electoral process whenever elections are being previewed or reviewed.
He queried if the media and civil society organisations are doing enough to hold important stakeholders accountable for their actions at elections, also positing that the task of building trust in the electoral process is a collective responsibility.
“Thus, among the questions that should agitate us as media and civil society organisations as we engage in this deliberation today are: Have we done enough to hold important stakeholders like the government, the political parties, the candidates, the security and law enforcement agencies, etc, accountable for their actions at elections in addition to INEC? If we agree that we haven’t, then what can we do better? Have we as media and civil society organisations also done enough to make ourselves accountable to society in the course of performing our electoral duties?
“Since the overall objective of Component 4 (Support to media) of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria-Phase 2 (EUSDGN II) project, the implementation of which IPC leads is that the media should be Fair, Accurate, Ethical and Inclusive in the Coverage and Reportage of Electoral Processes and Elections, let me conclude by asking this other question: Are we as journalists doing enough to live up to the basics of social responsibility by being factually accurate, conflict-sensitive and setting citizens’ agenda in reporting the elections?” the media guru asked.
“I posit in this welcome address that the task of building trust in the electoral process is a collective responsibility,” he added.
Also speaking in the multi-stakeholders’ dialogue Vice President, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYC) Southwest, Mr. Kazeem Amosu , noted that the future of the nation hinges upon the integrity and credibility of the electoral system, and it is incumbent upon the youth of Nigeria, to actively engage in shaping that future.
Amosu noted that we are at a critical juncture in our nation’s history with off-cycle elections, other electoral activities, and the 2027 elections looming on the horizon, bringing the citizens of Nigeria at the crossroads of opportunity and challenge, he joined earlier speakers to ask the question on how to rebuild trust in our electoral process and institutions to ensure a fair, transparent, and inclusive democratic process for all Nigerians.
He harped on the need for the youths to rise up to the responsibility of advocating for accountability, transparency, and fairness as well as demanding electoral reforms that prioritise the needs and aspirations of the Nigerian people.
His words: “As youth leaders and representatives, it is our responsibility to rise to this challenge with courage, determination, and vision. We must harness the power of our collective voices to advocate for accountability, transparency, and fairness in every aspect of the electoral process.
“We must demand electoral reforms that prioritise the needs and aspirations of the Nigerian people, particularly the marginalised and underserved communities.
“Moreover, we must recognise the pivotal role that youth play as agents of change and catalysts for progress in our society. Our generation represents the future of Nigeria, and it is our duty to actively participate in shaping that future through constructive engagement, civic responsibility, and informed decision-making.”
The Youth Leader called on and sundry to work together, across party lines, religious divides, and ethnic boundaries, to forge a path towards a more inclusive, transparent, and vibrant democracy for all Nigerians.
He also urged everyone to embrace the challenges before us as a nation with optimism and determination, stating categorically that youths united and empowered have the power to create positive change and build a brighter tomorrow for generations to come.
In her own submission, Mrs. Yemisi Izuora, representing the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), expressed joy at IPC’s effort at creating an environment conducive for democracy of the country.
She pointed out that research has revealed that there is no perfect democracy anywhere in the world and different countries experience one form of distortion or the other.
However, Izuora regretted that the only unfortunate thing is that the peculiarity of electoral violence and manipulation in Nigeria and other African countries is more worrisome.
She called on the electorates to eschew violence like intimidation, ballot box snatching, other political violence among others, while also urging INEC on the need to continuously address grey areas that give rise to some of the challenges experienced before and after elections.
The media practitioner added that Judiciary is also important to help in dealing with political litigations speedily to allow elected officers to settle down for business of governance, and also discouraged sensational headlines by the media that are capable of speaking violence.
“The INEC has cultivated the culture of engaging with various stakeholders before and after elections which is ongoing for Edo and Ondo governorship elections.
“Therefore this engagement is very encouraging and we lend our support to it and as media practitioners we too have a duty to ensure we discourage sensational headlines that are capable of speaking violence,” Izuora posited.
She disclosed that GOCOP is working with key government agencies to eliminate fake news that can cause serious security issues with the intention to sustain our nascent democracy.