Senator Professor Stephen Odey, Esq., Cross River State Commissioner for Education, on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, delivered a powerful Keynote Address as Special Guest Speaker at the National Leadership Summit held at the Nigerian Merit House, Maitama, Abuja. With the theme “Agenda Setting for 2027 General Elections: Imperatives of Free, Fair and Credible Elections,” the summit brought together distinguished scholars, captains of industry, and political leaders from across Nigeria to chart a way forward for the nation’s democracy.
In his address, Professor Odey stressed the urgent need to:
✅ Strengthen democratic institutions
✅ Promote electoral integrity
✅ Encourage active citizen participation.
Drawing from renowned sociologists like Émile Durkheim and Max Weber, he warned that flawed electoral processes can erode trust, weaken legitimacy, and threaten national cohesion.
“Elections are not just political exercises—they are the foundation of legitimacy in a democracy. When credibility is lost, authority is questioned, and society risks disintegration,” Odey stated.
Senator Odey further emphasized that credible elections remain a strategic asset, ensuring stability, public trust, and effective governance. Referencing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he noted that history will judge leadership not just by electoral victories, but by the strength of democratic institutions built.
Sen. Prof. Stephen Odey charged all stakeholders—government, political parties, and citizens—to take ownership of the 2027 electoral process:
“The 2027 elections are not INEC’s alone. They belong to all Nigerians. Your vote is your power—protect it, use it, and never sell it.”
Quoting legendary activist Gani Fawehinmi, he concluded:
“The struggle is a marathon, not a sprint.”
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SUMMIT:
Governor Uba Sani received the Best Governor of the Year Award, and several distinguished Nigerians were honoured for excellence in public service. The 2026 National Leadership Summit ended on a high note, with robust discussions and actionable insights aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s democracy ahead of 2027.