The Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar O. Sulaiman, has called for far-reaching electoral reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions and safeguard the integrity of its elections.

Speaking on Thursday in Abuja at the opening of a National Dialogue on Electoral Reforms, organized by the Institute Prof. Sulaiman emphasized the urgent need to reinforce democratic structures to withstand political pressure and ensure credible electoral outcomes.

The dialogue, which was themed “Strengthening Electoral Integrity in Nigeria: Legislative and Institutional Reforms,” was convened to address persistent flaws in Nigeria’s electoral processes. According to Sulaiman, despite numerous legal and institutional reforms since the country’s return to democracy in 1999, each election cycle continues to expose recurring challenges.

“These include logistical failures, voter suppression, electoral violence, apathy, misinformation, and allegations of manipulation and fraud,” he noted. “Such issues undermine public trust and call for bolder, smarter, and more comprehensive reforms.”

He stressed that electoral integrity is not simply a legal or technical concern, but a political and moral imperative, crucial for sustaining democratic legitimacy and restoring citizens’ confidence in the political system.

“We must move beyond having laws and institutions that look good on paper. They must be capable of withstanding the intense pressures of electoral contests and resisting the manipulations of bad actors,” he said.

Prof. Sulaiman also drew attention to the often-overlooked local government elections, which he described as lacking credibility due to the compromised independence of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs).

“Any meaningful discussion on electoral reform must include the third tier of government,” he said. “NILDS strongly believes that empowering SIECs and revising state-level electoral laws are essential to deepening democracy at the grassroots.”

He reiterated NILDS’s commitment to supporting the National Assembly in delivering evidence-based legislation and robust institutional reforms. The policy dialogue, he noted, is part of the Institute’s broader strategy to foster accountable governance and a transparent electoral framework in Nigeria.