The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has urged the government to implement far-reaching constitutional and electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections. The proposed reforms include a requirement that presidential candidates secure at least 50 per cent of votes cast, with a run-off election if no candidate meets the threshold. This recommendation was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC 2026), held in Enugu from 24 to 26 September 2026.
The conference, themed “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive,” was attended by over 500 editors, publishers, and senior media practitioners from print, broadcast, and digital platforms. The event also drew political, traditional, religious, academic, regulatory, and development-sector leaders. Vice President Kashim Shettima participated virtually as Special Guest of Honour, while Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, served as Chief Host. The Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, chaired the conference.
The NGE identified several factors contributing to voter apathy, including poor governance, electoral violence and intimidation, administrative shortcomings, declining public confidence, and concerns about the relationship between electoral outcomes and subsequent judicial decisions. The Guild expressed concern over perceptions that judicial interventions in electoral disputes could displace outcomes recorded at the ballot box. However, the editors stressed the importance of judicial independence and called for electoral adjudication that is timely, transparent, predictable, and impartial.
The conference examined challenges confronting Nigeria’s electoral democracy, including voter apathy, electoral insecurity, declining public confidence, misinformation, disinformation, and emerging threats posed by artificial intelligence ahead of the 2027 elections. According to the editors, the ballot remains the principal instrument through which citizens exercise their sovereign will, but its value depends on credible information, public confidence, and the assurance that votes will be properly counted and respected.
The NGE called for electoral disputes to be resolved within prescribed timelines and, preferably, before the swearing-in of declared winners. The Guild recommended considering a constitutional threshold for presidential elections, with a run-off if the candidate with the highest number of votes fails to secure at least 50 per cent of the votes cast. This, the editors believe, will help to ensure the legitimacy of elected leaders and prevent disputes.
The Guild also recommended reforms to the process of appointing the Chairman, National Commissioners, and Resident Electoral Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as well as State Electoral Commissions. The NGE President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, signed the communiqué. The keynote address was delivered by the Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan.
The Nigerian Guild of Editors' recommendations are aimed at strengthening Nigeria's electoral system and ensuring that the 2027 general elections are free, fair, and credible. The proposed reforms will require significant changes to the country's electoral laws and constitution.
Key points
- Nigerian Guild of Editors calls for 50% presidential threshold
- Electoral disputes should be resolved before swearing-in of winners
- Reforms to INEC appointment process recommended
