The Social Reorientation and Empowerment Network (SREN) has warned that vote buying, political inducements and divisive appeals could undermine electoral accountability, urging Nigerians to make the 2027 general elections a test of both leadership performance and responsible citizenship.
The organisation called on voters to deploy the National Values Charter, popularly known as “7 for 7”, as a yardstick for examining the conduct, integrity and public service records of candidates seeking elective offices.
In a statement signed by its President, Dr Daniel Evans Eshett, SREN said voters should resist the temptation to exchange their votes for money or gifts and instead scrutinise candidates’ antecedents, competence, respect for democratic institutions and commitment to public welfare.
“The 2027 elections should be an opportunity for Nigerians to make choices based on values, character, competence and service,” Eshett said.
The organisation stressed that electoral choices should be determined by candidates’ records and credible plans rather than party loyalty, ethnicity, religion, personal relationships or financial inducements.
It said the National Values Charter, developed by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), offers a framework for evaluating the obligations of government to citizens and the responsibilities citizens owe their country.
The charter is built around two pillars: the “Nigerian Promise”, which outlines seven commitments expected of the state and its representatives, and the “Citizen’s Code”, which identifies seven responsibilities expected of Nigerians.
Under the Nigerian Promise, government and public officials are expected to uphold equality, democracy, entrepreneurship and employment, peace and security, inclusivity, freedom and justice, and meritocracy.
The Citizen’s Code, meanwhile, emphasises discipline, duty of care, tolerance, leadership, accountability, environmental awareness and resilience.
SREN argued that the two components establish a reciprocal relationship between those who govern and the governed, maintaining that public accountability would be incomplete if citizens also neglected their civic responsibilities.
It cautioned against treating the charter as a ceremonial document or campaign slogan, insisting that its principles should shape decisions and conduct in public institutions, political parties, workplaces and communities.
The organisation further maintained that the credibility of democracy should be measured by more than the successful conduct of elections, pointing to citizens’ access to justice, security, fundamental freedoms, equal treatment under the law and opportunities for productive employment as essential indicators of democratic performance.
To deepen public understanding of the charter before the polls, SREN urged the NOA, media organisations, schools, religious bodies, traditional institutions and civil society groups to intensify civic education across the country.
It also encouraged Nigerians to discuss the charter’s principles in homes, schools, workplaces and community gatherings, while demanding accountability from public officials through peaceful, lawful and democratic means.
Eshett said the consistent application of the charter could strengthen public trust, promote responsible leadership and deepen Nigeria’s democratic culture.
“Let every voter ask whether a candidate’s record reflects the Nigerian Promise, and let every citizen also be prepared to live by the Citizen’s Code,” he said.
He added: “Accountability must begin with leaders, but it must not end with them.”
