By Sylvia Akpan
With the need to build trust – viewed as an essential commodity in a democratic setting, the International Press Center (IPC) and stakeholders have sued for sincerity as the 2027 general elections beacons.
This was the summary of the one-day multi-stakeholder meeting organized by IPC, in collaboration with the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EUSDGN), held at the Metropolitan Hotel in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State. The meeting brought representatives from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the media, civil society organizations, and political parties to dialogue and chart ways of building trust among candidates and electorates.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade welcomed participants to the engagement with the theme: “Rebuilding Trust in the Electoral Processes, and Institutions”, he said it was the fourth of such meetings after previous editions were held in Abuja – the North Central, Lagos – the South West and Kaduna – the North West.
He disclosed that the event was part of the IPC’s efforts to support democratic governance and ensure the success of the 2027 general elections.
The member representing Boki State Constituency in Cross River State House of Assembly, Honorable Itam Abang, emphasized the need to discuss the critical aspect of the democratic journey and implored stakeholders to bring their innovative ideas, diverse perspectives, constructive criticisms, expertise, and inputs to the table as it would help in shaping electoral processes.
Prof. Ojua Takim Asu, from the Department of Social Work, University of Calabar, delivered a lead paper on “Rebuilding Trust In Electoral Processes And Institutions: The Role Of Critical Stakeholders In Fashioning A Way Forward’.
He said the electoral process is a fundamental aspect of democratic governance that allows citizens to participate in choosing their leaders and shaping their government.
Takim posited that “When trust is built, confidence is also built and that makes it a dual movement. Everyone must share the responsibility of confidence and trust building”.
He charged everyone to share in the blame and questioned why a candidate would travel outside the country to bring a foreign observer during an election, adding that it is part of distrust of the electoral system.
The event featured discussions, questions, presentations, and contributions from various stakeholders, including Prof. Bolade Eyinla, Chief Technical Adviser to the INEC Chairman, and Hon. Itam Abang, CEO of Kejie Banyi Boki Foundation.