The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) has appointed Prof. Victor Adetula as the new Chairman of its Election Analysis Centre (EAC).
The CDD Director, Dr. Dauda Garuba, made the announcement on Tuesday in Abuja, during the formal unveiling of Prof. Adetula and the presentation of CDD’s Anambra Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) Observers’ Report of the exercise that was recently concluded in the state.
According to him, Adetula, the new CDD-EAC Chair succeeded Prof. Liasu Jinadu, now 82 years old, served in the position for 14 years before stepping down.
Garuba stressed that the CDD-West Africa indicated interest to extend the work of its EAC beyond election observation to include governance monitoring and that already, so much thinking has gone into what should constitute the direction that the expansion would take.
Garuba noted: “Among the new insights is the issue of drilling down on the CDD Mandate Protection work set for test-run during the forthcoming off-cycle governorship election in November this year and subsequently in Ekiti and Osun states in 2026.
“It is expected that lessons learned from these will be deployed fully in the 2027 general election.
“Thus, as Nigeria edges closer to the 2027 general elections, CDD-West Africa continues to reflect on the state of our democracy through the lens of recent developments, particularly the recently held 2025 by-elections, ongoing continuous voter registration exercises to climax in the Anambra State off-cycle governorship election.”
Garuba added that the CDD’s 23-page latest report on the CVR in Anambra State shows encouraging signs of expanded access, but also recurring challenges.
He said that in conflict-prone areas, limited outreach and logistical setbacks persisted, reflecting broader systemic gaps across the country; while nationwide, the issue of over five million uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) is a silent ‘crisis.’
Garuba warned that if unresolved, millions of citizens risk exclusion from the 2027 elections, a development that could erode both participation and legitimacy.
The recommendations included safeguarding the credibility of the Anambra State off-cycle governorship election, future by-elections, and the 2027 general polls, through the INEC improving its technological infrastructure, logistics, and voter outreach strategies.
Garuba said, “Security agencies must deploy personnel with neutrality and professionalism, resisting pressure from incumbents.
“Political actors must commit to issue-based campaigns and reject vote buying and weaponized violence. Civil society should sustain monitoring efforts, amplify citizen voices, and demand accountability.
“Citizens must resist inducement and reclaim the power of their votes. PVC Collection must be given a coordinated national campaign, decentralized collection points, deliberate grassroots outreach, and targeted voter education.
“The stakes ahead of 2027 are not just about whether democracy will survive; they are about the kind of democracy Nigerians will inherit.”
In his acceptance remarks, the new Chair of CDD-West Africa Election Analysis Centre, Adetula, said his appointment, which coincided with the release of CDD’s latest observer report on the Continuous Voter Registration exercise in Anambra State, further reflected the Centre’s devoted commitment to rigorous, data-driven electoral analysis and to strengthening participatory democracy throughout Nigeria and West Africa.
“I humbly accept this role, fully aware of the weighty responsibilities it entails. Over the years, the CDD-Election Analysis Centre has distinguished itself as an impartial and insightful institution, supporting stakeholders, policymakers, and citizens as they navigate the intricacies of our electoral systems.
“This occasion signifies not only a personal milestone but also the beginning of a new chapter for the CDD-EAC,” Adetula said.