By Emmanuel Awari, Jalingo
The Coalition of Taraba Academics for Continuity and Development has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to discharge its constitutional responsibilities with independence, professionalism, transparency and accountability.
The National Chairman of the Coalition, Professor David Agbu, stated this during a sensitization programme for politicians and political parties in Southern Taraba.
“Section 153(1)(f), together with paragraph 14 of Part I, establishes INEC and provides for its constitutional functions. INEC is constitutionally responsible for organizing, undertaking and supervising elections to the offices specified under the Constitution, as well as performing other electoral functions assigned to it.
“The Electoral Act 2026, signed into law on 18 February 2026, has provided innovations including electronic accreditation of voters (Section 47), electronic transmission of results (Section 60(3)), a National Electronic Register of Election Results (Section 62), nomination of candidates (Section 84), and electoral offences and sanctions.”
Professor Agbu enumerated the roles academics play in ensuring that legal provisions translate into credible elections to include civic and voter education, research and evidence-based policy recommendations, political neutrality and intellectual independence. Others are monitoring and observation of elections, promotion of peace and prevention of violence, accountability and the rule of law, mentorship of young people and future leaders, and promotion of inclusive democracy.
He said that the essence of the Coalition is to ensure that democracy continues to move forward.
“Taraba State is blessed with intellectual resources: universities, colleges of education, polytechnics and other institutions of higher learning. We must deploy those resources towards building a politically conscious, peaceful and democratically responsible society.
“The Coalition of Taraba Academics for Continuity and Development believes that academics have a responsibility to contribute meaningfully to democratic development, good governance, national unity and the rule of law. We must encourage our students and the public to understand that political differences should not divide our communities or destroy our relationships.
“We must remind our political actors that elections are not warfare, political opponents are not enemies, and electoral victory should never be pursued at the expense of human lives, national unity or constitutional order.
“The challenges confronting the electoral system in Nigeria include vote buying and selling, electoral violence, manipulation of election results, voter apathy and inadequate civic education, inadequate electoral logistics and technological challenges, abuse of incumbency and misuse of public resources, inadequate enforcement of electoral offences, prolonged election litigation and conflicting interpretations of electoral laws, and ethical and religious sentiments capable of undermining national unity.”
According to him, those challenges require collective attention from government, INEC, political parties, security agencies, civil society organizations, the judiciary and the academic community.
He used the forum to call upon universities, political stakeholders and civil society organizations to work together towards strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“Let the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) discharge its constitutional responsibilities with independence, professionalism, transparency and accountability.
“Let security agencies remain politically neutral and protect the electoral rights of all citizens. Let the judiciary continue to uphold the Constitution and dispense electoral justice without fear or favour.
“Let academics rise to the challenge of providing the intellectual leadership necessary for democratic consolidation in Nigeria,” he stated.
In their goodwill messages, candidates contesting under various political parties said that they would ensure that elections go smoothly.
Speaking, the Chairman of the Taraba State Independent Electoral Commission (TSIEC), Hon. Bala Aji, said that the role of the academic community in the democratic process cannot be overemphasized.
“Universities and other institutions of higher learning are not merely centres for the acquisition of certificates and academic qualifications; they are also centres for the development of character, critical thinking, responsible citizenship and national consciousness.”
He urged academics to rise above partisan considerations and use their intellectual influence to promote electoral awareness, political tolerance, peace education and democratic values.
“You have a responsibility to educate our younger ones against electoral violence, vote buying, misinformation, hate speech and other practices capable of undermining our democracy.”
Aji appealed to political leaders and party stakeholders, saying that politics is about competition for leadership and must never be competition for the destruction of relationships, communities or human lives.
“There will always be winners and losers in an electoral contest. However, we must remember that after every election, we remain brothers and sisters of the same Taraba State.
“Let us embrace issue-based campaigns, respect opposition views, discourage inflammatory statements and educate our supporters to conduct themselves responsibly.
“No political ambition is worth the blood of any citizen, and no electoral victory is worth the destruction of the peace of our state,” he said.
He called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, the media, civil society organizations, youth groups and security agencies to intensify their contributions towards peaceful elections.
“Our traditional and religious institutions should continue to promote peaceful coexistence. The media must uphold professionalism, accuracy and responsible reporting, particularly in the age of social media, where misinformation can spread rapidly. Our youths must refuse to be used as instruments of political violence; rather, they should become ambassadors of peace and responsible democratic participation,” he stated.
He called on security agencies to continue to discharge their constitutional responsibilities professionally, impartially and with respect for the rights of citizens.
“As we prepare for the 2027 General Elections, let us remember that Taraba State belongs to us, irrespective of political affiliation, religion, ethnicity or geographical location. We belong to different political parties, but we share one state and one destiny.
“May the 2027 electoral process strengthen our democracy, deepen our unity and leave behind a legacy of peace, credibility and responsible leadership. Let us contest elections, not destroy relationships. Let us disagree politically, but remain united as one,” he concluded.
On his part, the Labour Party senatorial candidate for Taraba South (Wukari, Ibi, Takum, Donga, Ussa and Yangtu Development Area), Hon. Yakubu Ezekiel Ambo, said that the gathering was to secure the future of children, elders, farmers, traders and youths.
According to him, credible elections are the only mechanism that allows the true will of the people to emerge by bringing forth leaders who are genuinely accountable to the electorate.
“When the process is manipulated, the covenant between the leader and the led is broken. If a leader buys their way into office, they owe nothing to the electorate; but when elections are free, fair and peaceful, the leader knows that the same power that brought them in can also vote them out.”
He said that the Labour Party philosophy is anchored on social justice, equal opportunity and the dignity of human effort.
“We believe that leadership must be earned through character, competence and a traceable track record of community service.
“We do not believe in the politics of intimidation, thuggery or vote buying. I am fully ready to submit to accountability tests, debates and public scrutiny, because our vision for Taraba South is one built on inclusive development and shared prosperity,” he said.
According to him, credible elections cannot be achieved by the electoral umpire alone, adding that they require a collective commitment from every single person.
“To the electoral umpire, INEC, we demand neutrality. To candidates, let us conduct our campaigns with decency. To our traditional and religious leaders, you are the moral conscience of our society; continue to preach peace and remain fathers to all. To the youths of Southern Taraba, you are the drivers of this democracy.
“Taraba South is ready for progress. We are ready to retire old prejudices, and we are determined to let our votes count.”
He promised to play politics according to the rules, promote peace and respect the democratic choices of our people.
He called on participants to carry the message to their constituents as ambassadors of peace, advocates of voter education and a more prosperous Southern Taraba.
Similarly, the candidate for Wukari/Ibi Federal Constituency, Dr. Samuel Sanfo Bala, called on academicians to be not only teachers in the classroom but also ambassadors of peace in the entire community, state and country at large.
“Our professors have spent their lives teaching reason, fairness and truth.
“When we vote peacefully, we tell the world that Taraba State is a home of dignity. When we accept results with maturity, we tell our children that politics can be an instrument for service and not violence. And when the best of our minds—our academics, our teachers and our thinkers—step forward to guide the process, we protect our democracy at its foundation.”
According to him, academics can educate voters on their rights and responsibilities.
“They can serve as honest observers, researchers and election monitors. They can counter rumours and fake news with facts. They can remind our younger people that no political ambition is worth a single drop of blood.
“To my fellow candidates and political actors across Taraba South, our opponents are not our enemies; they are our neighbours, relatives and citizens. Let us campaign on ideas and not insults.
“To the young men and women of Wukari/Ibi and Taraba South, you are the largest and most energetic force in this election. You will decide the shape of the next decade.
“Do not allow anyone to hire your anger. Do not sell your future for a small token. Your voter card is more powerful than any weapon; use it wisely and peacefully, and protect it with your life and good sense,” he stated.
