Some political leaders have called on the Federal Government to urgently reform and strengthen the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general elections to restore public trust and enhance electoral credibility in Nigeria.

The leaders, including governors and former ministers, made the call on Monday, October 6, 2025, in Abuja during a high-level panel discussion organized by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership.

The event, themed “Innovation in Electoral Technology 2015–2025: Gains, Gaps, and the Road Ahead,” also featured the official launch of the Athena Election Observatory, an initiative aimed at monitoring and documenting electoral reforms, innovations, and governance trends across Nigeria and Africa.

Among the panellists were Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo; Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal; former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; and former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, who also serves as the Chancellor of the Athena Centre.

Speaking at the forum, Governor Soludo emphasized that credible elections are the foundation of good governance and institutional integrity.

“The critical question is how we can make our institutions work. We have made some progress, but we still have a long way to go in building trust in the process,” he said.

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State linked democratic stability to respect for the rule of law and accountability.

“We cannot talk about democracy without the rule of law. The rule of law guarantees fairness, justice, and peace in society,” he noted.

Also speaking, Osita Chidoka said Nigeria’s electoral problems stem from weak institutions and low public confidence, stressing that democracy thrives on strong systems rather than personalities.

“We must ensure that the umpire is not seen as a player. Without transparency, democracy becomes a shadow of itself,” Chidoka stated.

The leaders collectively urged the Federal Government to prioritize electoral reforms, strengthen INEC’s technological capacity, and ensure institutional independence to guarantee free, fair, and credible elections in 2027.