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In a powerful call to action, veteran journalist and media leader Comrade Chris Isiguzo has urged Nigerians to actively participate in the country’s democratic and electoral reform process. Appearing on Electoral Reform Half Hour, Isiguzo emphasized that democracy must be driven by the people, not simply managed on their behalf. “The beginning, the midpoint, and the end of democracy is the people,” he said, calling on citizens to move from being passive observers to becoming active participants.

Comrade Isiguzo, who formerly served as President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and currently heads the Congress of African Journalists, warned against the apathy that allows political elites to dominate governance structures. He noted that Nigeria’s electoral process is heavily reliant on political parties, and since the country does not yet support independent candidacy, citizens must take a keener interest in internal party democracy. “You can’t say politics isn’t your thing, if you’re not at the table, you’re likely on the menu,” he cautioned.

Discussing proposed reforms, he strongly advocated for consolidating state and federal elections into a single day to save resources and improve efficiency. However, he acknowledged the logistical challenges involved and recommended careful planning before implementing such a change. He also called for local government elections to be removed from the hands of state-controlled electoral commissions and placed under the jurisdiction of INEC to prevent manipulation by ruling parties at the state level.

On the issue of INEC appointments, Isiguzo downplayed the controversy surrounding presidential nominations, arguing that a responsible and responsive National Assembly holds the final authority in confirming candidates. “We must focus on getting the right people, not just changing the process for its own sake,” he stated, adding that trust in democratic institutions is built over time through vigilance and engagement.

He praised recent improvements at the National Orientation Agency, now under the leadership of Lanre Onilu, but emphasized that civic education must become a continuous effort, not just an election-time campaign. On citizen oversight, Comrade Isiguzo pointed out that public hearings offer opportunities for Nigerians to engage directly with lawmakers and influence electoral amendments.

In his closing remarks, Isiguzo expressed unwavering optimism in Nigeria’s democratic evolution, likening it to gold undergoing refinement. “We are going through fire,” he said, “but at the end, we will have a democracy that works. It’s not about perfection today, it’s about consistent progress.”

LISTEN TO THE FULL CONVERSATION HERE