Pro-democracy activist and founding National Secretary of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Prof. Udenta O. Udenta, has proposed the establishment of a Sovereign Commission for Democratic Sustainability and National Stability to prevent the 2027 elections from plunging Nigeria into crisis.
In a statement on Tuesday, Udenta said the challenge ahead of 2027 goes beyond who emerges president, stressing that Nigeria must prioritise national unity and democratic stability over individual ambitions.
“Elections cannot, by themselves, build trust or guarantee stability,” he said. “The critical question is what becomes of the nation the day after.”
He argued that “Nigeria’s survival must matter more than the fortunes of any politician” and that “Nigeria is not temporary.”
Udenta, who declared support for Peter Obi but said the initiative would accommodate supporters of President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and other aspirants, said the commission should not be another committee of elders issuing communiqués that gather dust.
Composition:
He proposed the commission include the sitting president if seeking re-election, the president-elect where a new leader emerges, all certified presidential candidates, national leaders and chairmen of political parties, and presidents of the NLC, TUC, ASUU, NUJ and civil society representatives.
Key proposals:
– All presidential candidates make seven pre-election commitments, including participating in the commission regardless of outcome
– Joint appeal for calm within 72 hours of results declaration
– Winner convenes commission within 30 days, with recommendations published within 100 days
– Establishment of an 18-month Government of National Unity based on competence
– Reforms to reduce winner-takes-all presidential politics
– Restoration of high-level offices for inter-party and civil society relations
Udenta stressed the commission must not undermine INEC, the judiciary or constitutional institutions, nor become a platform for patronage, but serve as a practical forum for post-election dialogue, monitoring commitments and identifying threats to democratic legitimacy.
He also noted Nigeria has recovered multi-party democracy from the ashes of the broken PDP, and warned against pushing the country into a one-party state.
