By Jane Okafor, Abuja
In the wake of rising diplomatic tensions triggered by the recent scathing criticism of Nigeria — and open threat issued by President Donald Trump of the United States — over killings and insecurity in the country, describing Nigeria as a “Disgraced Country,” leading political stakeholders have resolved to convert this moment of anxiety into positive national action.
Following strong pressure from civil society leaders, the agenda of the already scheduled National Political Summit on credible elections — holding next week in Abuja — will now be expanded to urgently address the implications of Trump’s threat on possible military strike.
The Daily Crucible reports that eminent national leaders under the umbrella of the National Consultative Front (NCFront), in partnership with major political and civil society formations, had earlier initiated one of the most crucial political gatherings ahead of the 2027 general elections. The summit — a pan-Nigerian, multi-stakeholder convergence — is convened against the backdrop of ongoing constitutional and electoral reform efforts by the National Assembly.
Tagged “National Electoral Reforms Summit for Credible Elections in 2027”, the event is scheduled for Tuesday, 11 November 2025 at 10:00am at the Banquet Hall of NICON Luxury Hotel, Tafawa Balewa Way, Abuja, under the theme:
“Towards Critical and Mandatory Constitutional Amendments for Credible Elections in 2027.”
The summit has already generated strong national momentum due to the calibre of leaders confirmed to be attending.
Former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has been invited by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to chair the event, while former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, will deliver the keynote address.
Other eminent national voices on constitutional reform, electoral systems, governance and institutional strengthening — including Prof Attahiru Jega, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, Barr Femi Falana, SAN, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, Dr Usman Bugaje, Amb. Nkoyo Toyo, Senator Shehu Sani, Prof Pat Utomi and many others — have confirmed participation.
The confab will also feature a special panel session involving some of Nigeria’s most influential national figures, including presidential aspirants across party divides, to further underscore the multi-stakeholder nature of this historic convergence.
According to a statement by Comrade James Ezema, Publicity Manager,
National Political Summit, the event is conceived as a bold and urgent turning-point for Nigeria’s democratic future.
“As 2027 approaches, Nigeria must rise above discredited electoral processes, disputed election results, ambiguous electoral laws, compromised electoral frameworks, weak institutions, and recurrent electoral violence.
This summit is therefore designed to generate consensus around critical constitutional adjustments needed to secure transparent results transmission, reduce electoral manipulation and violence, enhance legitimacy and strengthen electoral institutions — ensuring that elections in Nigeria from 2027 reflect the true free will of citizens,” the LOC stated.
However, in a new development, civil society leaders participating in the summit insist that Nigeria must not interpret Trump’s description of Nigeria as a “Disgraced Country” merely as an insult — but as a stark indicator of how badly the nation’s image has collapsed in the global arena due to disputed election outcomes and legitimacy crises.
They argue that the most dignified and strategic response is not public denial or emotional defensiveness — but immediate action by Nigerians themselves to rebuild electoral trust and political integrity from within, noting that Nigeria retains constitutional options and civic capacity to reform its electoral foundations, as attempted under the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua administration.
To this end, summit conveners have agreed that the agenda will be reviewed to accommodate a substantive intervention on the rising security concerns triggered by the U.S. President’s remarks — as an entry point toward a grand national declaration that will consign disputed elections to history.
Given the renewed international focus on Nigeria, the summit will also mobilise key friendly nations to attend the opening session for goodwill and support.
Government delegations to the summit — to be led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), invited State Governors, the INEC Chairman and the Chairmen of Constitutional Reform Committees in both chambers of the National Assembly — will join former Presidents, former Vice Presidents of Nigeria and leading Presidential Aspirants in addressing the over 600 accredited delegates already confirmed to be attending the National Summit.
