Hosted by African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD), the Policy Dialogue on the Credibility Threshold of Elections brought together thought leaders, scholars, and changemakers in a powerful exchange of ideas.

In his welcome address, Mr. Monday Osasah, Executive Director of Centre LSD, set the tone:

“We’re here not just to talk, but to find practical solutions that will shape how elections are conducted in Nigeria.”

He emphasized Centre LSD’s commitment to embedding election work within the entire electoral cycle from pre-election preparation to post-election reforms.

The Founding Executive Director, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, outlined the four pillars guiding Centre LSD’s electoral work:

1. Credibility Threshold of Elections
2. Vote Not Fight Campaign
3. Voter Turnout Analysis & Programming
4. Monitoring of Key Stakeholders

“This dialogue,” he said, “is about Pillar One—credibility. Today begins our journey to define the standards and build an index to measure what makes an election credible.”

Dr. Igbuzor expressed concern that only 9 million voters—about 4.5% of Nigeria’s population—decided the outcome of the 2023 presidential elections.

We must ask: Why don’t people vote? And how can we inspire them to trust the process again?”

Then came the keynote speaker, Dr. Iroro S. Izu, a political scientist from Nile University. His message was clear and compelling:

• INEC must create more polling units to ease voting access.
• Transparency and accountability checkers should be developed to assess INEC, political parties, media, security personnel, and voters.
• INEC should be unbundled into independent entities—one for offences, one for party primaries, and one for public orientation.
• CSOs should be empowered to train and monitor elections.
• Traditional and religious leaders must help shape voter behavior.
• And all elections? They should be held on the same day to avoid voter fatigue.

“It is in everyone’s interest,” Dr. Izu said, “for elections to meet a basic credibility threshold—one built on transparency, inclusivity, security, and trust.”

In closing, Chief Ezenwa Nwagwu of PAACA praised the progress Nigeria has made since 1999, especially the adoption of BVAS. But he also reminded everyone:

“We must go beyond reforms on paper. Let’s address the realities of our time.”

Watch our social media space for updates on our next policy dialogue!

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