"Our Democracy Is Suffocating": Obidient Movement Calls for Overhaul of INEC, Judiciary, and Governance Structure

 

The Obidient Movement has issued a clarion call for urgent and comprehensive reforms across Nigeria’s democratic institutions, warning that the country's democracy is teetering on the brink of collapse without immediate corrective action.

At an event held in Enugu State, Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the movement, addressed stakeholders with a passionate plea to salvage Nigeria’s governance system. He stressed the need for electoral reforms that would address widespread dissatisfaction and restore public trust in the nation’s democratic processes.

Tanko expressed deep concern over the credibility of recent national elections, noting that the allegations of electoral irregularities have eroded the confidence of millions of Nigerians in the democratic process. Both local and international observers, he said, have questioned the integrity and transparency of the electoral outcomes, raising fears that the democratic foundation of the country is being dangerously undermined.

“Consider the recent national elections. Many observers, both within our nation and internationally, have raised significant questions about their fairness and transparency. Allegations of irregularities have led a substantial portion of our population to doubt the legitimacy of the outcome,” Tanko stated. “When the very process of choosing our leaders is called into question, the foundation of our democracy is shaken.”

The activist emphasized that the problem extends beyond the electoral process. He drew attention to the perceived loss of independence among key institutions like the Judiciary and security agencies, asserting that they have become increasingly susceptible to political influence. This, he warned, compromises the rule of law and undermines democratic accountability.

According to him, the crisis of confidence in public institutions is contributing to growing political disillusionment and civic disengagement. “There is a disconnect between the people and the government, and this growing alienation is dangerous for our democracy,” he noted.

Tanko proposed a broader view of governance, describing democracy as a structure traditionally built on four pillars: the Executive, Legislature, Judiciary, and the Press. However, he argued for the recognition of a fifth and most crucial estate — the people.

“The people are the soul of democracy,” he said. “Without them, the executive, legislature, judiciary, and press are purposeless. These institutions must exist to serve the people, not suppress them.”

He then outlined a series of reforms aimed at rejuvenating Nigeria’s democratic institutions. These include:

• Enforcing strict compliance with educational qualifications for political officeholders, with verifiable documentation.

• Making political debates compulsory for candidates.

• Ensuring all registered voters are mandated to vote.

• Introducing proportional representation in the National Assembly to ensure fairer representation.

• Implementing electronic transmission of election results.

• Shifting the burden of proof to INEC to justify results presented in disputed elections.

• Declaring the seat of any political defector vacant, with fresh elections mandated.

• Allowing Nigerians in the diaspora to vote.

• Permitting citizens to vote anywhere in the country without needing to return to their place of registration.

• Consolidating the voters card into a multifunctional ID with added incentives for registration.

• Adopting the Justice Muhammad Uwais Electoral Reform Report as a framework for change.

Tanko also advocated for the restructuring of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) into three autonomous bodies for improved efficiency and accountability. These would include an Electoral Commission to oversee voting, an Enforcement Commission to ensure compliance with electoral laws, and a Delimitation Commission responsible for constituency boundaries.

He further suggested a transparent and independent process for appointing the INEC chairman to reduce executive interference and restore credibility to the electoral body.

“The electoral process must reflect the will of the people,” Tanko concluded. “Until we reform these systems, our democracy will continue to suffocate under the weight of manipulation, disenfranchisement, and mistrust.”

With this renewed push from the Obidient Movement, the debate around electoral and institutional reform in Nigeria is poised to take center stage once again — echoing a national yearning for justice, transparency, and true democratic governance.