Victor Dike calls for the creation of a “culture of collective responsibility” among Nigerians.

A Nigerian born university don, author and political analyst, Dr. Victor E. Dike has emphasized the need for building a “culture of collective responsibility” among Nigerians to ensure free, fair, and credible elections in the upcoming 2027 elections.

Dr. Dike who retired after teaching for over 25 years with the Washington Unified School District, West Sacramento, California and previously taught in the Department of Information Technology at National University’s Sacramento Center USA, outlined key principles for Nigerians to work towards the realization of the goal of true democracy and true federalism in the country.

While holding an exclusive interview with Umuaka Times over the weekend, the author of several books on democracy and national development, critically evaluated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and concluded that “transforming a political system does not necessarily start with appointment of a new INEC” Chairman. He noted that it “starts with changing the mindset of the people who will create a culture of collective responsibility.”

Dr Dike in addition in addition disclosed that the electoral umpire must ensure free and fair elections, with results reflecting the true figures collected at polling centres at real time.

“The INEC team must accept the responsibility to ensure free and fair elections be conducted throughout the country and that election results reflect the true figure collected at the polling centers. Their actions must be a reflection of their electoral mission and visions.”

For democracy to triumph in Nigeria, the university don further reminded Nigerians that each participant during elections, including voters and INEC officials, must put in their best with the aim of giving Nigerians a credible election.

On the role of voters, Dr Dike appealed to Nigerian voters to always ensure that election results accurately reflect their votes and provide evidence for any electoral discrepancies if the need arises.

While making the call for creating a “culture of collective responsibility”, Dike also advised Nigerians to always work together irrespective of their religious, party or tribal differences in order to transform the political system so as to make the country to work again. This in his own views, will create a transparent and credible process which will be reflective of the people’s will.

Dr. Dike stressed that true commitment to electoral reform requires voters to see that the results of election are accurate reflections of their votes. He urged Nigerians to take an active role in demanding change and ensuring that election results are a true representation of their collective voice.

Furthermore, Dr Dike noted that creating a culture of collective responsibility is based on some fundamental beliefs one of which is that each participant in election should have to perform at high levels. Another “assumption or fundamental belief is that each participant in the election will perform at high levels. It is a collective responsibility of the participants and the INEC officials to ensure that the people possess the skills and knowledge required to participate in the political process to achieve positive outcomes.”

In order to prevent a repeat of the fraud that happened in Nigeria in the 2023 elections, Dike noted that “Having experienced massive rigging at polling booths in the past, the voters or masses must put their feet on the ground to get the change they desire.”

He concluded that “In the end, true commitment comes when voters see that the results are true reflections of the votes they cast at the polling stations.”

On the appointment of a new INEC chairman in the person of Prof. Joash Amupitan, Dike appealed to the Senate to thoroughly vet him to ensure that he qualified for the position. He also tasked Nigerians to work through the civil society organizations to ensure that the new chairman, if confirmed by the Senate will be upright in the discharge of his duties. He noted that already, the curriculum vitae of the new INEC chairman has raised a lot of questions. That in his own view is a red flag.