A new national coalition, Save Democracy Mega Alliance 2027 (SDMA’27), has launched a campaign to amend Nigeria’s Constitution to remove the President’s authority over the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and state governors’ power over State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs).
This coalition aims to prevent executive influence in the electoral and judicial systems by transferring appointment powers to a new independent body.
Speaking at a briefing in Abuja, the group’s spokesperson, Comrade Tony Akeni Le Moin, announced that the coalition will formally launch across all states, culminating in a “boot camp” finale in Abuja. He emphasized SDMA’27’s focus on two main constitutional amendments: stripping the president and governors of their powers to appoint INEC, SIEC, and judiciary heads and transferring these responsibilities to a body of non-partisan, integrity-vetted Nigerians.
Endorsed by prominent leaders and pro-democracy groups nationwide, the coalition has also garnered support from Professor Pat Utomi, a well-respected political economist, who described the movement as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s democracy since 1999. Utomi referenced the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform report, which similarly recommended executive appointment reform for INEC and the judiciary, noting that insulating these institutions from executive influence would foster fair elections and improve governance.
SDMA’27 outlined a three-point plan, including mobilizing national consensus across political, religious, and civil society networks to create a unified demand for constitutional reform. The coalition aims to build momentum for a National Conference to formally propose these amendments and to lobby both the National and State Assemblies to strip executive influence over INEC and the judiciary.
The group issued a call to action, warning that without these reforms, the 2027 elections would likely see a repeat of past electoral manipulations. SDMA’27 invoked Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words on the need for organized resistance, urging Nigerians to prepare for what they described as a “national emergency” to restore Nigeria’s democracy. (Vanguard)
