NIGERIA @66: WOMEN LAWYERS DEMAND INDEPENDENCE FOR INEC

As Nigeria marks 66 years of Independence, the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) International has reflected on the meaning of our nationhood “and, more importantly, on the Nigeria we must build for present and future generations.”

In a press statement made available to CITY LAWYER and signed by its President, Amanda Demechi-Asagba, the association warned that the 2027 Elections “must be a national democratic project.”

It stated that “INEC must be enabled to operate with genuine institutional independence,” adding that “An election management body must have the legal, financial, technological and human resources necessary to perform its constitutional responsibilities transparently and effectively.”

Below is the full text of the statement.

INDEPENDENCE DAY PRESS BRIEFING

NIGERIA @ 66: FROM CONSTITUTIONAL PROMISE TO DEMOCRATIC RENEWAL

A Solution-Based Call for Constitutionalism, Inclusive Governance and Electoral Integrity

By Amanda Ego Justina Demechi-Asagba
President, African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) International
1 October 2026

Fellow Nigerians, distinguished members of the media, ladies and gentlemen,

As Nigeria marks 66 years of Independence, the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) International joins Nigerians at home and abroad in reflecting on the meaning of our nationhood and, more importantly, on the Nigeria we must build for present and future generations.

Independence is not simply the attainment of political freedom from colonial rule. It is the continuing responsibility to build a nation founded on constitutionalism, justice, equality, accountability, human dignity, security and democratic participation.

Our Constitution establishes the supremacy of the Constitution and declares that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. These principles must move beyond constitutional text and become measurable realities in the lives of Nigerians.

THE QUESTION BEFORE US

At 66, Nigeria does not lack laws, institutions or democratic aspirations. Our greater challenge is the consistent implementation of the constitutional principles and laws that already exist.

Democracy cannot be sustained merely by holding elections. It requires institutions that are independent, accountable and trusted; citizens whose rights are protected; political parties that practise internal democracy; courts that can operate without improper interference; and an electoral process in which every legitimate vote matters.

The Independent National Electoral Commission is constitutionally established to organise elections, while the electoral framework has continued to evolve through legislative and technological reforms. (INEC Nigeria)

As Nigeria approaches another major electoral cycle, the question is therefore not merely who will contest elections, but whether our institutions and political actors will collectively protect the integrity of the democratic process.

THE 2027 ELECTIONS MUST BE A NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PROJECT

The Electoral Act 2026 has introduced significant changes to Nigeria’s electoral framework. Among other matters, the new framework addresses electronic transmission and collation, electoral offences, political-party administration and campaign finance.

These changes make public understanding, institutional compliance and effective enforcement increasingly important.

INEC itself has emphasised the constitutional and statutory foundations of the electoral timetable and the importance of timely preparation for the 2027 elections. (INEC Nigeria)

AWLA therefore calls for an electoral process in which:

1. THE LAW MUST BE CLEAR AND CONSISTENTLY APPLIED.

Electoral laws should provide certainty, not unnecessary confusion. Where provisions are disputed, the appropriate constitutional and judicial mechanisms must be respected and decisions must be obeyed.

2. INEC MUST BE ENABLED TO OPERATE WITH GENUINE INSTITUTIONAL INDEPENDENCE.

An election management body must have the legal, financial, technological and human resources necessary to perform its constitutional responsibilities transparently and effectively.

3. POLITICAL PARTIES MUST PRACTISE INTERNAL DEMOCRACY.

Democracy cannot begin on election day. It must begin within political parties through transparent membership systems, credible primaries, fair participation and respect for their own constitutions and applicable law.

4. TECHNOLOGY MUST SERVE ELECTORAL INTEGRITY.

Electronic accreditation, transmission and other technologies should strengthen transparency and public confidence. At the same time, the law must provide clear procedures for dealing with technological failure and disputes.

5. ELECTORAL OFFENCES MUST HAVE CONSEQUENCES.

Election violence, intimidation, vote buying, destruction of electoral materials, manipulation of electoral processes and other offences must not become normalised. Enforcement must be impartial and evidence-based.

WOMEN MUST NOT REMAIN AT THE PERIPHERY OF GOVERNANCE

As an organisation committed to advancing women’s rights and access to justice, AWLA International is particularly concerned about the continued underrepresentation of women in political decision-making.

A democracy cannot fully claim to represent its people when women—who constitute approximately half of the population—remain significantly underrepresented in elected institutions.

The solution is not tokenism.

We need practical measures that address the barriers preventing women from participating effectively in political life, including:

transparent and inclusive party structures;
fair access to political opportunities;
stronger protection against political violence and intimidation;
financial and institutional support for qualified women candidates;
enforcement of laws protecting women from discrimination;
increased civic and political education; and
deliberate commitment by political parties to women’s participation.

Women should not merely be voters in Nigeria’s democracy. Women must also be decision-makers.

CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM MUST SERVE THE PEOPLE

AWLA International recognises that constitutional reform remains an important national conversation.

However, constitutional reform should not become an endless exercise in changing words while leaving institutional problems unresolved.

The focus should be on reforms that improve:

ACCOUNTABILITY. DEVOLUTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES. LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY. JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE. ELECTORAL INTEGRITY. HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION. GENDER INCLUSION. SECURITY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE.

The Supreme Court’s decision in Attorney-General of the Federation v. Attorney-General of Abia State & 35 Ors. in July 2024 also brought renewed national attention to constitutional questions concerning local government autonomy.

The constitutional promise of democratic governance must ultimately be experienced at the grassroots—not only in Abuja.

THE RULE OF LAW MUST BE THE COMMON GROUND

No democracy can survive where the law is selectively respected.

Government institutions, political parties, public officers, security agencies, private citizens and civil society must all operate within the law.

Fundamental rights—including dignity, life, personal liberty, fair hearing, expression, association and freedom from discrimination—are constitutionally protected. INEC’s own electoral-duty guidance expressly recognises these Chapter IV rights in the context of elections. (INEC Nigeria)

But rights must also be protected in practice.

A citizen should not have to possess political influence, wealth or social status before receiving justice.

OUR SOLUTION: FROM REACTION TO INSTITUTIONAL REFORM

AWLA International proposes a practical national commitment built around five priorities:

FIRST — STRENGTHEN INSTITUTIONS.
Institutions must be sufficiently independent, properly funded and transparently accountable.

SECOND — ENFORCE THE LAW.
Laws without credible enforcement become mere declarations of intention.

THIRD — PROTECT CITIZENS.
Security, human rights and access to justice must remain central to governance.

FOURTH — INCLUDE WOMEN AND YOUNG PEOPLE.
Nigeria must deliberately widen democratic participation beyond traditional political structures.

FIFTH — MAKE CITIZENS ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN DEMOCRACY.
Citizens must register, obtain their voter credentials, understand the law, vote peacefully, reject electoral violence and hold elected officials accountable between elections—not only during elections.

A MESSAGE TO POLITICAL ACTORS

AWLA International calls upon all political parties and political actors to place the national interest above the temptation to manipulate democratic institutions for short-term political advantage.

Competition is legitimate.

Disagreement is legitimate.

Political ambition is legitimate.

But the destruction of democratic institutions in pursuit of political victory ultimately harms everyone.

Nigeria requires political competition governed by law, not politics that seeks to govern the law.

A MESSAGE TO GOVERNMENT AND INSTITUTIONS

We call upon government at all levels to remember that public office is a constitutional responsibility, not personal ownership of public authority.

Governance must therefore be measured by:

How many citizens are protected? How many children receive quality education? How many women can participate safely and equally? How accessible is justice? How secure are communities? How transparent are public institutions? How effectively are public resources utilised?

These are the real measures of democratic progress.

A MESSAGE TO NIGERIANS

Our democracy belongs to all of us.

We must reject the idea that nothing can change.

Nigeria’s future cannot be left exclusively to politicians. Lawyers, journalists, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, religious bodies, professional associations, young people, women and ordinary citizens all have a role to play.

We must move from citizenship by complaint to citizenship by participation.

We must know our rights.

We must know our responsibilities.

We must demand accountability lawfully.

We must reject violence.

We must defend constitutional democracy.

CONCLUSION: THE NIGERIA WE WANT

At 66, our greatest Independence Day responsibility is not simply to celebrate where Nigeria has been.

It is to decide, through lawful democratic participation, where Nigeria must go next.

AWLA International believes that a stable and prosperous Nigeria is possible—but it requires more than political promises.

It requires constitutional fidelity, accountable leadership, independent institutions, credible elections, equal participation, respect for human rights and the courage to enforce the law.

Let this Independence Day therefore mark a renewed national commitment:

From constitutional promises to constitutional practice.

From electoral competition to electoral integrity.

From exclusion to inclusion.

From impunity to accountability.

From citizens as spectators to citizens as participants.

And ultimately:

FROM THE NIGERIA WE HAVE, TO THE NIGERIA WE CAN BUILD TOGETHER.

On behalf of the African Women Lawyers Association International, I wish all Nigerians a peaceful, reflective and hopeful 66th Independence Anniversary.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

God bless the Nigerian people.

Thank you.