COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE INAUGURAL VIRTUAL STAKEHOLDER DIALOGUE ON THE #ROADTO2027 NIGERIA ELECTIONS ISSUES & CONCERNS DIALOGUE SERIES

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COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE INAUGURAL VIRTUAL STAKEHOLDER DIALOGUE ON THE #ROADTO2027 NIGERIA ELECTIONS ISSUES & CONCERNS DIALOGUE SERIES HELD ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2026. 




The Rally for Peaceful Election, in collaboration with the Indomitable Youths Organization (IYO), Josemaria Escriva Foundation (JOSEF) and Stakeholders convened the sessions of the #RoadTo2027: Nigeria Elections Issues & Concerns Dialogue Series, a non-partisan platform designed to promote informed citizen engagement, peaceful political participation, accountability, good governance and credible elections in Nigeria.

The 60-minute interactive dialogue brought together representatives of civil society organizations, youth and women-focused organizations, development and human rights actors, electoral stakeholders and other concerned citizens from different parts of Nigeria.

The dialogue recognized that the journey towards the 2027 General Elections requires early, sustained and inclusive engagement among citizens and stakeholders. Participants welcomed the initiative and emphasized the importance of moving beyond discussions of electoral challenges to developing practical, evidence-based and implementable solutions.

KEY ISSUES AND CONCERNS

Participants identified the following key issues requiring urgent attention:

1.     Increased Citizen Participation: The relatively low participation in the inaugural session underscores the need for stronger mobilization, particularly of young people and women, to ensure that the dialogue reflects diverse voices and experiences across Nigeria.

2.     Women's Political Participation: Participants expressed concern about the limited representation of women in political decision-making. Women should move beyond being mobilized primarily as voters and campaign supporters to becoming active participants in political leadership, decision-making and governance.

3.     Safety and Protection of Women: Fear, intimidation, violence and insecurity were identified as factors that discourage women from participating fully in political processes. Safe and inclusive platforms must therefore be created to enable women to speak, organize and contest for political positions.

4.     Civic and Voter Education: There is a need for increased political orientation and civic education, particularly for women and young people, to enable citizens to understand their electoral rights, responsibilities and the importance of making informed choices.

5.     Community-Level Engagement: Communities, local governments and state-level stakeholders should be deliberately engaged before, during and after elections to strengthen peaceful participation, identify emerging risks and prevent electoral violence.

6.     Evidence and Lessons from Previous Elections: Participants emphasized the importance of learning from previous elections. The experience of the Osun State election was identified as a useful case study for examining electoral processes, challenges and lessons for the 2027 elections.

7.     Partnerships and Media Outreach: The dialogue should strengthen collaboration with civil society organizations, volunteers, media institutions, electoral stakeholders and other partners to expand its reach and ensure that discussions translate into wider public awareness and action.

RESOLUTIONS AND NEXT STEPS

The participants agreed to:

  • Mobilize wider participation, particularly among youth and women, in subsequent sessions.
  • Share the programme flyer and Zoom link through relevant networks and platforms.
  • Establish and strengthen a database of participants, including their organizations, states, LGAs and contact details, for sustained coordination.
  • Document key recommendations and outcomes from each episode and disseminate them through appropriate platforms.
  • Create opportunities for engagement with electoral candidates, INEC officials, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders.
  • Share lessons from the Osun State election during a subsequent episode.
  • Explore media partnerships and volunteer engagement to extend the reach and impact of the series.
  • Circulate the schedule of the planned 22-episode dialogue series and encourage participants to remain actively engaged.

CONCLUSION

Participants reaffirmed that peaceful, credible and inclusive elections require preparation long before election day. The #RoadTo2027 platform should therefore serve not merely as a discussion forum, but as a mechanism for civic education, evidence generation, stakeholder coordination, early identification of electoral risks, advocacy and practical action.

The organizers call on civil society organizations, government institutions, political actors, media practitioners, development partners, traditional and religious leaders, youth, women and citizens across Nigeria to join the initiative and contribute to building a peaceful, participatory and accountable electoral process ahead of 2027.

Issued by

 Dr. Bright Oniovokukor                                       Comr. Jude Obasanmi PhD.

Convener, Rally for Peaceful Election                   Co-Convener, Rally for Peaceful Election

ED, Indomitable Youths Organization (IYO)         CRO, Josemaria Escriva Foundation (JOSEF)

+2348068054561                                                    SSC, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room

                                                                                  +234803718403







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