The Obidients Movement, supporters of Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, is advocating for electoral reforms to guarantee a free and fair election in 2027. During a Labour Party stakeholder meeting in Lagos, coordinator Yunusa Tanko stressed the importance of implementing the Uwais Electoral report to tackle Nigeria’s electoral issues.

Tanko criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for being overwhelmed and vulnerable to state capture. He argued that electoral reforms are essential to protect INEC and the judiciary from undue influence by those in power.

“We need a transparent process for selecting the INEC chairman,” Tanko stated, proposing that the judicial council should participate in nominating INEC leadership, rather than leaving it solely to the president.

He reiterated the call for the Uwais Electoral report to be enforced, which recommends dividing INEC into three distinct entities: an electoral body, a delineation commission, and electoral enforcement agencies, to alleviate its burden.

On addressing internal party matters, Labour Party gubernatorial candidate in Lagos, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, acknowledged that every political party faces challenges. He expressed hope for resolving conflicts within the Labour Party, emphasizing unity and collaboration as the way forward. “We don’t want to win any victory if the house is divided. A divided house can never stand,” Rhodes-Vivour said.

The event, organized by Labour Party member Hon. Seyi Sowunmi, aimed to unite party members and foster a positive outlook despite recent internal conflicts.