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In a dynamic and candid conversation during Electoral Reform Half Hour on NTA News 24, High Chief Peter Ameh, a veteran politician and advocate for democratic reforms, outlined a vision for revitalizing Nigeria’s electoral system. The program, organized by the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA) with support from the MacArthur Foundation, explored key issues hindering Nigeria’s democracy and offered bold solutions to strengthen its electoral framework.

Chief Ameh, a former National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), stressed the critical role of political parties in electoral reforms. He highlighted their responsibility in mobilizing voters, selecting credible candidates, and fostering internal democracy. However, he lamented the persistent challenges of corruption, vote-buying, and a lack of transparency within political parties, stating, “You can’t create internal democracy in political parties if you don’t have a watchdog that determines that these rules are maintained and respected.”

One of Chief Ameh’s major proposals was the consolidation of Nigeria’s elections into a single day. He argued that staggered elections lead to logistical inefficiencies, voter fatigue, and low turnout, particularly in subsequent elections. “If we don’t consolidate our elections and conduct all the five ballot papers in one day, we’re going to have no voter turnout,” he explained.

He also addressed the widespread issue of defections by elected officials, which, he argued, undermines the growth of smaller parties and weakens Nigeria’s multi-party democracy. Chief Ameh called for an amendment to the constitution to strengthen laws that prevent arbitrary defections, ensuring accountability and stability in the political system. “With defections, you cannot build a multi-party democratic system because other parties continue to act as feeder pillars to the main political party,” he stated.

Another focus of the discussion was the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Chief Ameh emphasized the need for INEC to strengthen its oversight of political party activities, particularly in monitoring primaries and enforcing compliance with electoral guidelines. He proposed increased funding for INEC’s legal and election management departments to enhance their capacity to regulate and sanction errant parties effectively.

Chief Ameh also advocated for measures to curb vote-buying, which he described as a blight on Nigeria’s democracy. “Vote-buying has now reduced the political process to the highest bidder,” he lamented, adding that this practice erodes public trust and excludes capable candidates who lack financial resources.

Looking ahead to 2027, Chief Ameh proposed three critical reforms: transparent and open processes for party primaries, the consolidation of elections into a single day, and the elimination of manual collation centers to prevent electoral malpractice. He also called for the strengthening of the Independent Review of Election Results (IREV) system to enhance transparency and public confidence in election outcomes.

As Nigeria prepares for its next electoral cycle, Chief Ameh’s insights underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to ensure credible elections and a thriving democracy. His call for collaboration among political parties, INEC, and other stakeholders serves as a rallying cry for a more transparent, inclusive, and accountable electoral system. PAACA’s initiative to create a platform for these critical conversations continues to spark hope for a brighter democratic future in Nigeria.