The lawmaker representing Obingwa-West State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jnr, Esq., has called for comprehensive legal and institutional reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and restore public confidence in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Erondu, a former Chairman of Obingwa Local Government Area, made the call in the wake of the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with the theme, “Beyond Limits.”
In a statement by his spokesman, George Egejuru, the lawmaker said the 2027 elections presented Nigeria with another opportunity to deepen democratic governance, but stressed that credible elections must be supported by strong and independent institutions.
He said Nigeria needed to move beyond conducting periodic elections to building a system where institutions function independently, citizens’ rights are protected and public officials are held accountable.
“The strength of our democracy is ultimately determined by the strength of our institutions. We must therefore continue to reform our laws and strengthen the institutions responsible for conducting elections, interpreting the law and protecting the rights of citizens,” he said.
Erondu advocated clearer electoral laws, stronger safeguards for institutional independence and more effective mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes without compromising the will of voters.
He also called for reforms to reduce delays in the adjudication of electoral cases, noting that prolonged litigation could erode public confidence in the democratic process.
According to him, an independent, courageous and accessible judiciary remains essential to the survival of constitutional democracy.
The legislator further urged political parties to strengthen their internal democratic structures and adhere to their constitutions and guidelines in the selection of candidates.
“Democracy begins within political parties. If internal processes are transparent, credible and respectful of the rights of members, it will strengthen the quality of candidates and ultimately improve the democratic process,” he said.
Erondu also appealed to political actors to subordinate personal ambitions to the national interest, warning that the pursuit of electoral victory should never justify attacks on democratic institutions or the rule of law.
He said democratic reform should involve not only lawyers and politicians but also the electorate, civil society organisations, the media, traditional institutions and other stakeholders.
The APC chieftain called for expanded civic education, particularly among young Nigerians, to help citizens understand their constitutional rights and responsibilities and make informed choices during elections.
He maintained that reforms ahead of 2027 should extend beyond preparations for the elections and form part of a broader effort to build institutions capable of delivering justice, security, economic opportunities and accountable governance.
Erondu urged Nigerians to approach the 2027 elections with optimism and vigilance, saying the country had an opportunity to demonstrate that democratic institutions could function effectively when citizens, political parties and public officials respected the law.
“2027 should not merely be another election year. It should be another milestone in our collective effort to build a stronger democracy where the people’s mandate is respected, institutions are protected and every citizen has confidence that the law will stand above individual interests,” he said.
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