Abuja: As Nigeria looks ahead to the 2027 general elections, the country’s media community is stepping up to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of its democracy. At the heart of this effort is a renewed commitment to champion electoral reforms that promise to strengthen the integrity of the ballot, rebuild public trust, and make elections more inclusive.
According to Voice of Nigeria, this resolve was underscored at a one-day Consultative Roundtable on ‘Citizens’ Memorandum on Electoral Reform’, held in Abuja. The gathering brought together journalists, civil society leaders, and development partners under the auspices of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Programme, implemented by the EU, Yiaga Africa, and the International Press Centre (IPC).
The roundtable provided a platform for the media to reaffirm its role as the watchdog of democracy and as a driver of national discourse on electoral reform. Media practitioners at the event pledged to intensify fact-based
reporting, in-depth editorials, investigative stories, and the creative use of infographics to highlight priority reform issues. These issues include the state of electoral integrity in Nigeria, the prospects and challenges of early voting, and bridging legal and policy gaps to allow inmates to vote.
Yiaga Africa also presented three publications on these thematic areas, stimulating robust conversations on the need to address long-standing systemic weaknesses in the electoral process. The keynote paper was delivered by Dr Tony Onyima, who emphasised the media’s strategic role in holding institutions accountable and ensuring that reforms translate into practice rather than rhetoric.
The Director of IPC, Mr Lanre Arogundade, joined Dr Onyima to lead discussions on setting the media agenda for proposed reform, reflecting a shared consensus that the media must go beyond merely reporting election outcomes to interrogating the processes that deliver them.
One significant discussion point was the need to appoint
a new INEC Chairman with impeccable integrity and proven competence. Participants stressed that future elections’ credibility hinges on the quality of leadership at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Yiaga Africa and IPC also advocated for early voting, calling on the National Assembly to include it in the ongoing electoral reform process.
Ms Cynthia Mbamalu, Director at Yiaga Africa, described early voting as a landmark reform essential for those working during elections. The Executive Director of IPC, Mr Arogundade, echoed this view, lamenting that thousands of journalists accredited to cover elections have been denied the chance to cast their votes.
In a significant intervention, the Head of Digital Department at the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Dr Qasim Akinreti, proposed that a veteran journalist be considered for the role of INEC Chairman, arguing for Mr Arogundade’s candidacy based on his extensive experience and proven managerial skills.
Since Nigeria’s first post-colonial elections i
n 1959, the leadership of the country’s electoral bodies has largely been drawn from technocrats and other professionals. Notable past electoral leaders include Ronald Edward Wraith, Eyo Ita Esua, and Professor Mahmood Yakubu, among others.
Yiaga Africa’s publication on the State of Electoral Integrity in Nigeria outlined key recommendations such as the timely completion of the electoral legal framework, strengthening INEC’s autonomy, improving judicial independence, and promoting the inclusion of marginalised groups in governance.
In line with its mission, the Voice of Nigeria (VON) reaffirmed its commitment to supporting reforms that strengthen electoral integrity and deepen democratic governance. Through balanced reportage, VON pledged to continue amplifying public discourse on inclusive reforms and credible elections.
The roundtable in Abuja marked not just another conversation on electoral reforms but a clear signal of intent by the media to lead by example. By embracing reforms, advocating inclusivit
y, and holding power to account, Nigeria’s journalists reaffirm their historic role as defenders of democracy, ensuring that as the 2027 polls draw near, the country’s electoral process reflects the will of the people.