Peterside backs GoNigeriaNG, identifies four pillars for strengthening Nigeria’s democracy

Business leader and founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Atedo Peterside, has thrown his weight behind the advocacy of civic platform GoNigeria, highlighting four key pillars essential for sustaining Nigeria’s democracy.

Peterside, in a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) platform on Tuesday, said Nigeria’s democratic system rests on electoral reform, judicial reform, freedom of speech, and the security of life and property.

He stressed that electoral reform remains the most critical of the four, noting that credible elections are fundamental to building legitimacy, strengthening institutions, and ensuring effective governance.

“Elections do not simply select leaders; they determine whether power is accepted as legitimate, whether institutions are trusted, and whether governance will be effective,” he stated.

The position aligns with a statement released by GoNigeria on Tuesday, which underscored the urgency of electoral reform in safeguarding the country’s democratic future.

The group referenced the recommendations of the electoral reform committee led by Mohammed Uwais, which emphasised the independence of the electoral body, transparency in processes, credible dispute resolution, and strict enforcement of electoral laws.

It noted that subsequent reforms, including the introduction of biometric voter registration, Permanent Voters’ Cards, and electronic accreditation, were aimed at enhancing transparency and public trust through the use of technology.

According to GoNigeria, Nigeria reached a democratic milestone in 2015, widely regarded as a benchmark election. However, it observed that progress has since faltered, with declining public confidence following the 2019 and 2023 elections due to inconsistent use of technology, weak enforcement, and increased reliance on the courts to determine electoral outcomes.

The group cited surveys indicating that fewer than half of Nigerians currently trust the electoral commission, with distrust particularly high in the South-South and South-East regions. Among young Nigerians aged 18 to 35, nearly three-quarters reportedly lack confidence in the system’s ability to deliver free and fair elections.

It warned that a weak electoral system could lead to increased violence, unaccountable leadership, and weakened institutions, stressing that urgent reforms are necessary to avert further democratic decline.

GoNigeria also highlighted concerns over the discretionary powers of electoral officials, particularly regarding manual transmission of results during network failures, and called for clearer guidelines, stronger safeguards, and improved transparency.

Following the recent assent to the Electoral Act 2026, the group urged stakeholders to focus on effective implementation, public engagement, and rebuilding trust in the electoral process.

It reaffirmed its commitment to promoting credible elections through advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and informed public discourse, with the goal of ensuring that electoral outcomes reflect the will of the people and are widely accepted.

The statement was endorsed by a broad coalition of prominent Nigerians, including Aisha Yesufu, Arunma Oteh, Matthew Kukah, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and Folarin Falana, among others.

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