Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, former Lagos governor Babatunde Fashola, and ex-INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega have stressed the need for electoral reforms, national rebirth, and strict adherence to the rule of law for Nigeria’s democracy to thrive.
Speaking at the June 12 edition of The Platform in Lagos, Fashola argued that the late MKO Abiola would have been president if Nigeria’s electoral system had upheld the rule of law.
“If the rule of law had prevailed, there would have been no crisis on June 12. MKO would have been president,” Fashola said, describing the rule of law as vital for societal advancement.
Jega advocated for expanded use of election technology, particularly electronic transmission of results, saying it would enhance transparency and accountability. He urged clarity in the Electoral Act on the matter and defended the inclusion of academics in the electoral process, despite isolated misconduct cases.
Soludo warned that Nigeria’s democracy lacks ideological direction. “You can’t have transformational leadership in a society that celebrates unearned wealth,” he said, describing the nation’s broken value system as a key challenge. He called for a value-based political realignment ahead of 2027, citing APGA’s “pragmatic progressivism” in Anambra as a model focused on security, infrastructure, and social inclusion.
