Jonathan, Osinbajo, others for summit on electoral reforms, Trump’s threat

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, several state governors, and other eminent Nigerians are expected to lead a major national political summit in Abuja next week aimed at advancing electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to a statement signed by Comrade James Ezema, Publicity Manager of the National Political […]

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, several state governors, and other eminent Nigerians are expected to lead a major national political summit in Abuja next week aimed at advancing electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to a statement signed by Comrade James Ezema, Publicity Manager of the National Political Summit, the gathering, initially conceived to focus on electoral and constitutional reforms, has been expanded to also address the implications of recent remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who described Nigeria as a “disgraced country” while threatening possible military action over insecurity and political instability.

Ezema said the development had “galvanised national leaders to turn anxiety into positive national action,” stressing that the summit would serve as “a bold and urgent turning point for Nigeria’s democratic future.”

Tagged “National Electoral Reforms Summit for Credible Elections in 2027,” the event is scheduled for Tuesday, November 11, under the theme “Towards Critical and Mandatory Constitutional Amendments for Credible Elections in 2027.”

Organised under the umbrella of the National Consultative Front (NCFront) in collaboration with key political and civil society organisations, the summit is billed to have Jonathan as chair and Osinbajo keynote speaker.

Other eminent Nigerians expected to participate include former INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega, human rights lawyers Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) and Femi Falana (SAN), former Minister Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, political reform advocate Dr. Usman Bugaje, Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo, Senator Shehu Sani, and Prof. Pat Utomi, among others.

The summit will also feature a special panel session involving presidential aspirants across party lines, former national leaders, and key figures from the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and civil society groups, reflecting its multi-stakeholder nature.

According to the statement, the objective is to “generate national consensus around critical constitutional adjustments needed to ensure transparent result transmission, curb electoral manipulation and violence, enhance legitimacy, and strengthen electoral institutions.”

“As 2027 approaches, Nigeria must rise above discredited electoral processes, disputed results, ambiguous electoral laws, compromised frameworks, weak institutions, and recurrent electoral violence,” the statement read.

Civil society leaders involved in the preparations reportedly urged organisers to view Trump’s comment not merely as an insult but as “a wake-up call for Nigeria to rebuild its political integrity.”

“They argue that the most dignified and strategic response is not public denial or emotional defensiveness, but immediate action by Nigerians themselves to restore electoral trust and political credibility from within,” the statement added.

The organisers said the summit would also seek to rally international support by inviting diplomatic representatives of friendly nations to attend the opening session as a show of solidarity with Nigeria’s reform agenda.