National convener of the Nigeria Electoral Reform Coalition, Okereke Ukpola has highlighted the character of politicians as the key challenge to meaningful electoral reform in the country.
Speaking on ongoing efforts to improve Nigeria’s elections during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Ukpola noted that reforms have been pursued since 1999, culminating in the Electoral Act 2022. Yet, despite repeated amendments after every election, calls for further reform persist ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The major challenge we are having in the country is the character of our politicians,” Ukpola said. He referenced the late President Umar Musa Yar’Adua, who upon assuming office, publicly acknowledged flaws in the electoral process that brought him to power and promised reforms. “ I still believe that the character of the politicians that we have presently is a major problem as regards the electoral process, the integrity of our electoral process. That’s one of the major issues,” he added.
Ukpola explained that while the character of politicians poses a significant hurdle, advocates will continue to push for structural reforms.
The coalition has actively engaged lawmakers, meeting over 50 senators and more than 50 House members, while also mobilising public support through social media campaigns.
He stated, “We will not stop pushing, because we have already started pushing until we get it right. And from 2024, we began to push.”
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