The Federal Government has restated its commitment to a free, fair, transparent, and equitable electoral system to firm up the nation’s democratic foundation.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, stated this at a stakeholders’ meeting on Policy Oversight for Electoral Integrity in Nigeria, which was convened by his office in collaboration with the African Electoral Integrity Initiative yesterday in Abuja.
Akume said the gathering elucidated the convergence of the nation’s collective interest with a shared vision to uphold the sanctity of its electoral processes.
In a statement by the Director of Information in the Office of the SGF, Segun Imohiosen, Senator Akume said: “It signifies a critical milestone in our collective pursuit of a free, fair, transparent, and equitable electoral system.
“We have gathered here as a unified assembly of stakeholders, representing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other election management bodies, political parties, civil society organisations (CSOs), law enforcement agencies, the media, international development partners, and distinguished ladies and gentlemen, with a common goal to hone and fortify our democracy”.
The SGF noted that the primary objective of the forum was to scrutinise the country’s existing electoral legislations, endeavour to identify best practices that would serve as guidelines for free, fair, and transparent elections.
He assured all stakeholders that the Federal Government would make more efforts to make Nigeria’s elections more effective and efficient by adopting requisite technology in the electoral processes.
Akume said: “I want to emphasise that the responsibility for safeguarding the integrity of our electoral processes rests not only with the government but on all of us.
“Let us work together to uphold the principles of free, fair, and transparent electoral system for the benefit of all Nigerians and the sustainability of our democracy”.
The SGF, who expressed gratitude of the Federal Government to the Director of the African Electoral Integrity Initiative, Dr. Daniel Omofoman, for his dedication to the cause of political integrity in Nigeria, advised the participants and fellow Nigerians to ensure a brighter and more transparent electoral future for the country.
Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders’ roundtable meeting, the Executive Director of African Electoral Integrity Initiative, Dr Daniel Omofoman, assured the government that the meeting would allow them to explore workable solutions and suggestions that would strengthen and revolutionise the nation’s electoral processes, thereby deepening democracy.
Present at the event were the top officials in the Office of the Attorney General Federation/Federal Ministry of Justice, some members of the diplomatic communities, CSOs, such as Yiaga Africa, Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER), Flag Foundation, Centre for Democracy and Development, among others.
