Nigeria Needs Urgent Electoral Overhaul—NILDS DG Sulaiman

By Julian Adetinuyo

The Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, has called for urgent reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions and restore trust in its electoral system.

Speaking at a high-level national dialogue on electoral reforms in Abuja, Professor Sulaiman said Nigeria’s democracy cannot thrive without a credible, transparent, and inclusive electoral process.

“Electoral reform is not an option—it’s a necessity,” he declared. “We must build institutions that can withstand pressure, resist manipulation, and reflect the true will of the people.”

Prof Sulaiman lamented that despite years of reform since Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1999, each election cycle continues to reveal troubling weaknesses—from logistical breakdowns and voter suppression to violence, misinformation, and widespread allegations of fraud.

“These recurring issues demand smarter, bolder, and more systemic solutions,” he stressed. “Laws and institutions must not only exist on paper; they must have the resilience to safeguard democracy in practice.”

He also decried the neglect of local government elections in the reform agenda, warning that democracy remains incomplete without credible polls at the grassroots.

“Nigeria cannot afford to ignore the failures at the local level. Empowering State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) and updating state electoral laws are crucial steps toward ensuring democracy works for all,” Sulaiman emphasized.

As lawmakers consider fresh amendments to the Electoral Act, he affirmed NILDS’ commitment to supporting the National Assembly with evidence-based insights and policy proposals. He also promised that the Institute would compile recommendations from the dialogue into a report for legislative review.

INEC’s Director of Legal Services, Professor Mohammed Tanimu, also raised critical concerns, calling for the expansion of the legal timeframe for filing and amending election petitions. According to him, the current 21-day window severely limits access to justice and fair resolution of electoral disputes. “Litigants should have enough time to prepare their cases. A rushed process denies justice,” Tanimu noted.

He also urged political parties to equip their polling agents to properly manage electoral documents and reduce last-minute pressure on INEC.

Legal expert Johnson Usman, SAN, echoed the need for sweeping changes and advocated for the restoration of legal provisions that allow any concerned citizen—not just contestants—to challenge candidates who present forged credentials to INEC. “Transparency is the soul of democracy. Blocking citizens from holding candidates accountable is a dangerous precedent,” Usman warned.

He further recommended that certified documents from INEC be admissible in court without requiring oral testimony, especially in over-voting cases. “Expecting oral evidence for every polling unit within tight judicial timelines is impractical,” he argued.

Usman concluded by calling on lawmakers to revise the law to eliminate conflicting court judgments and reinforce consistency in electoral adjudication.

The event, themed “Strengthening Electoral Integrity in Nigeria: Legislative and Institutional Reforms,” drew key policymakers, legal experts, and electoral stakeholders who maintained that without bold electoral reforms, democracy remains fragile.