The Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM) has outlined what it describes as a comprehensive, structure-driven approach to winning elections in Nigeria, arguing that future political success will depend on grassroots organisation and operational preparedness rather than social media influence or mass rallies.
In a position paper authored by Ogbuefi Ndigbo, the group reflected on lessons from the 2023 general elections, stating that widespread public enthusiasm and online mobilisation did not translate into sufficient polling unit control or electoral victory. According to the statement, political transformation requires institutional depth, trained personnel, and coordinated logistics rather than what it termed “spectacle.”
Lessons from 2023
The group noted that the surge of digital activism and public demonstrations in 2022 showcased citizens’ desire for change but fell short of delivering electoral dominance. It argued that trending hashtags and online engagement cannot replace core electoral mechanisms such as polling unit coverage, trained agents, legal response teams, ward-level mobilisation structures, and election-day coordination systems.
COPDEM described the experience as a “hard but necessary lesson,” stressing that measurable operational control is essential in Nigeria’s highly competitive political landscape.
AMAC as Case Study
The statement cited developments in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) elections as evidence of structural gaps within opposition formations. Field reports, according to the group, indicated instances of limited opposition presence at polling units, insufficient voter protection structures, and inadequate branding compared to dominant parties.
It also referenced allegations of inducement and financial influence during the polls, while noting that some smaller political parties reportedly deployed agents in polling units where larger opposition groups were absent.
“Elections are not won by divine intervention,” the statement read. “They are won by preparation.”
Five-Pillar Strategy
COPDEM outlined a five-point framework aimed at strengthening electoral competitiveness nationwide:
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Ward-Level Structuring: Establishing active grassroots presence in every ward and ensuring polling unit coverage across states.
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Agent Recruitment and Training: Deploying trained polling agents to serve as first-line defenders of votes.
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Vote Protection Infrastructure: Implementing real-time reporting systems, legal intervention teams, and collation centre monitoring mechanisms.
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Strategic Resource Deployment: Securing adequate funding for logistics, communications, and operational coordination.
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Youth Mobilisation Integration: Channeling the energy of youth-driven political movements into structured, ward-level electoral mechanics.
The group emphasised that moral appeals without operational depth risk repeated disappointment in future contests.
Focus on 2027
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, COPDEM called for what it described as full-scale preparation, including early financial planning, rural and peri-urban penetration, continuous voter engagement between election cycles, and coordinated legal compliance teams.
It argued that political competition in Nigeria rewards organisation, territorial reach, negotiation capacity, and rapid response capability.
“Mass movements ignite momentum,” the statement concluded. “Structured coalitions win elections.”
COPDEM maintained that strengthening Nigeria’s democracy will require disciplined organisation and sustained national strategy, urging opposition actors to prioritise institutional preparedness in the next electoral cycle.
