2027: APC, PDP, ADC, NDC invited to debate credible elections

The Just Friends Club of Nigeria (JFCN) has urged Nigerians to carefully examine the records, plans and promises of political parties and candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The club said this would be a major focus of its 8th Annual Public Lecture scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at Bolingo Hotels, Abuja.

The event, themed “From Concern to Action: Making Our Votes Count in the 2027 General Elections,” will feature human rights lawyer and democracy advocate, Clement Nwankwo, as the keynote speaker.

In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Ngozi John-Uyah, the club said it had invited the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) to nominate representatives for a panel discussion.

The discussion will focus on voters’ responsibilities, credible elections and accountability in a democracy.

Other issues to be discussed include voter participation, responsible political engagement and the need for Nigerians to elect leaders who can be held accountable for their promises and actions.

The club said the discussion would also examine how Nigerians could turn their concerns about governance, elections and national development into meaningful action.

The President of JFCN, Chief Amaechi Aloke, said the 2027 general elections would give Nigerians another opportunity to influence the country’s future through informed choices.

“Elections should be about more than winning power. Nigerians must examine the records, programmes and promises of those seeking office. We invited the major political parties because fairness and accountability are essential to strengthening our democracy,” Aloke said.

Journalist and political analyst Augustine Okhiria Agbonsuremi will also participate in the panel as a non-aligned panellist.

Agbonsuremi has more than 35 years of media experience. He is the Executive Director of the Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development (PRIMORG) and the producer and anchor of Deep Insight with Agbonsuremi.

The keynote speaker, Nwankwo, is the Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC). He has more than 30 years of experience in human rights advocacy, democratic governance, election monitoring and legislative reform.

He co-founded the Civil Liberties Organisation in 1987 and established the Constitutional Rights Project. He also served as the founding chairman of the Transition Monitoring Group, which monitored Nigeria’s 1999 elections.

Nwankwo was also the convener of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, a coalition that has supported election observation and advocated electoral accountability and democratic reforms.

The Just Friends Club of Nigeria is a non-profit organisation that promotes friendship, mutual support, community service and national development.

Since its first public lecture in 2014, the club has featured several prominent Nigerians, including Benjamin Ezra Dikki, Tony Ejinkeonye, Dr Abraham Nwankwo, Rev. Fr. George Ehusani, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, Dr Sam Amadi and retired Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Dambazau, a former Chief of Army Staff.