Democracy stakeholders have appealed to the actors in the Nigerian Judiciary to uphold the rule of law and ensure justice in order to maintain Nigeria’s hard-earned democracy.

Speaking recently at a conference organized by the Institute for Crisis Resolution, Peacebuilding, and Conciliation (ICRCP) in collaboration with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Jabi, the stakeholders emphasized that only by strictly adhering to democratic principles could the developmental aspirations of all Nigerians be achieved.

According to retired Major General Lawrence Onoja, who served as the Military Administrator of Plateau and Katsina States, democracy serves as a permit to access international diplomacy, finance, trade, investment, sports, entertainment, tourism, humanitarianism, defense, and security on a global scale.

Furthermore, he urged political leaders in the country to promote an electoral process that is credible and transparent, ensuring the active involvement of citizens in the governance of their affairs.

“As countries rush to achieve the label of being democratic, Nigeria should differentiate its version of democracy by upholding critical democratic principles such as the rule of law and justice. This includes respecting human rights, providing welfare and security for its citizens, fostering transparency and accountability, promoting open government, encouraging citizen participation, and embracing inclusiveness.

“It is therefore essential that political leaders encourage, adopt, accept, and celebrate transparent, credible, and open electoral processes as a crucial commitment to national security. This serves as the minimum standard to ensure the equal participation of Nigerians in the governance of their affairs,” stated Onoja.

Furthermore, He stated that the electoral process is incredibly important and central to democracy, governance, security, and conflict resolution; adding that the reason courts are used in resolving conflicts is due to the absence of democratic governance and the privileges it entails.

Onoja emphasized that as Nigerians continue to strive for a functional government that can ensure food security, health security, community security, economic security, political security, environmental security, and personal security, it is crucial for relevant state institutions to operate effectively.

“While the voting and declaration of winners in the 2023 general elections have concluded, there are still election conflicts pending before the courts,” Onoja remarked.

He regarded the 2023 general election as a defining moment for Nigeria, given the numerous threats to peace, security, and development that the nation faced on the eve of the election. He commended President Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party for choosing the path of peace.

However, he called upon the judiciary to remain firm and diligently fulfill their duties in litigations, based on evidence, to enhance citizens’ trust in the government and garner their support in collectively combating common enemies of the country.

“We are confident that the judiciary will carry out its duty commendably in resolving all electoral conflicts. This will instill citizens’ confidence in the electoral body, the electoral process, democratic institutions, democracy itself, and the new administration that emerges from the electoral process. The credibility of the conflict resolution process will also serve as a unifying force for all Nigerians to join the government in the fight against threats to peace and security, particularly terrorism, insurgency, separatist agitation, militancy, banditry, and other criminal activities. It will also diminish divisive voices and strengthen the voices of national unity.”

Also speaking, The Director-General of ICRPC, Prof. Andrew Zamani, stated that as a professional group and major stakeholders in the Nigeria Project, it is essential to examine the electoral processes in Nigeria since independence. This examination aims to identify both the best practices and flaws in elections in order to strengthen the country’s democracy.

Zamani emphasized that electoral processes reflect our collective attitudes towards power, justice, and equity. Therefore, it is crucial for the conference to broaden its focus beyond elections managed by INEC and Independent State Electoral Commission to include party governance and democracy. It is important to investigate the influences of patriarchy, godfatherism, financial factors, and familial biases on party governance and the process of selecting leaders in the country. Additionally, the role of the judiciary and extrajudicial factors in resolving conflicts arising from contentious election results should be examined. These discoveries should not be disconnected from the overall state of the rule of law in Nigeria.

Zamani expressed that Nigeria’s growth as an economic powerhouse in Africa relies on having strong institutions capable of ensuring a functioning electoral process. He emphasized the need for transparency in the electoral process, which reflects the people’s choice and guarantees the legitimacy of the government formed through such elections.

Dr. Abdulwaheed Odewale, the Register-General of ICRPC, described the conference as a dynamic platform for diverse voices working towards a peaceful and democratic society where the ballot triumphs over violence. Odewale stated that the knowledge and experiences shared during the conference would shape policies and practices guiding the future of Nigeria. The conference delved into the complexities of the electoral process, recognizing its pivotal role in upholding democracy and ensuring the collective will of the people. Discussions on security challenges deepened the understanding of the crucial need for a safe and stable environment that encourages citizens’ participation.

Odewale encouraged conference participants to embody the spirit of unity, resilience, and determination, applying the knowledge gained to become catalysts for positive change and improved approaches to elections in Nigeria. Upholding the principles of fairness, transparency, and non-violence is our collective responsibility to ensure the thriving and flourishing of our democracy. Odewale expressed confidence that the insights from the conference would resonate across the nation, inspiring active contributions to the peaceful coexistence and progress of Nigeria. Together, we can build a future where the ballot box prevails, where every voice is heard, and where conflict gives way to reconciliation.