By Hadiza Mohammed, Northern Operation The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) has announced plans to convene a high-level Emergency Stakeholders’ Engagement on the 2027 General Elections as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process and promote transparent, peaceful and credible elections. The parley, themed “Actualizing Credible 2027 Elections in Nigeria,” is scheduled to hold tomorrow, Monday, 25 May 2026, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall, NICON Luxury Hotel, Tafawa Balewa Way, Abuja. According to the conveners, the engagement is designed to bring together eminent statesmen, political leaders, civil society actors, labour leaders, legal luminaries, former electoral officials, youth advocates and representatives of political parties to deliberate and build consensus on critical issues capable of shaping the credibility of the 2027 electoral process. Discussions at the engagement will focus on the Electoral Act 2026, INEC guidelines and timelines, INEC’s role in party crises, the judiciary and the internal affairs of political parties, growing insecurity ahead of the 2027 elections, as well as the adoption of a Joint Action Plan for the 2027 Elections and other national concerns. Participants have also been encouraged to attend with prepared submissions on the identified thematic areas. Among distinguished Nigerians invited to the stakeholders’ engagement are former Presidents Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar, and Prof Yemi Osinbajo; former INEC Chairman Prof Attahiru Jega; labour leaders Comrade Joe Ajaero, Com. Ayuba Wabba and Comrade Festus Osifo; constitutional lawyers and senior advocates including Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, and Femi Falana, SAN. Others expected at the engagement include MCE leaders Dr Usman Bugaje, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, Prof Pat Utomi, Prophet Isa El-Buba, Mr Frank Nweke Jr, Comrade Ene Obi, Senator Shehu Sani, Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo, Dr Bilikisu Magoro, Prof Chidi Odinkalu, Barr Mike Igini and veteran pro-democracy campaigner Olawale Okunniyi, alongside other leading voices in governance and democracy advocacy. Also expected to address stakeholders during the historic engagement are presidential aspirants and political leaders including Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Prince Adewole Adebayo, Comrade Omoyele Sowore, Aminu Tambuwal, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, Mr Peter Obi, Seyi Makinde, Governor Bala Mohammed, Hon Peter Ameh, National Chairman of IPAC, Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, as well as national officers of major political parties, civil society organisations, labour unions and pro-democracy movements. Speaking on the forthcoming engagement, Chairman of the Convening Committee, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, said the initiative became necessary in view of growing national concerns surrounding electoral reforms, internal party democracy, judicial interventions in the electoral process and their implications for national security ahead of the 2027 general elections. Similarly, the Head of the MCE National Secretariat, Olawale Okunniyi, noted that credible elections remain the foundation of democratic governance, national cohesion, political stability and economic prosperity in Nigeria. He stressed that broad-based stakeholder collaboration is essential to restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the 2027 elections. According to a release by James Ezema, Media Coordinator, MCE, Okunniyi further disclosed that, at the end of the stakeholders’ parley, the coalition would proceed to engage with the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on practical, credible and non-partisan solutions to the electoral issues deliberated upon and agreed at the meeting.
