The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for a transparent, inclusive and credible 2027 general election, urging the International Republican Institute (IRI) to use its pre-election assessment mission to identify threats to Nigeria’s electoral process and recommend measures to strengthen public confidence.
National Chairman of the party, Senator David Mark, made the call on Wednesday ata the party headquarters in Abuja when he received a delegation of the IRI.
Mark said the credibility of the 2027 elections must be treated as non-negotiable, stressing that the process must be free from manipulation, intimidation and abuse of state institutions.
He welcomed IRI’s continued engagement with Nigeria’s political stakeholders, noting that the institute had contributed to efforts aimed at strengthening democracy, credible elections and good governance since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
“For us in the ADC, the credibility of the 2027 elections must be non-negotiable.
“We expect the electoral process to be transparent, inclusive, peaceful and free from manipulation, intimidation and the abuse of state institutions,” he said.
The former Senate President said the ADC was prepared to engage openly with the IRI delegation and share its experiences and concerns about the electoral process.
He expressed particular concern over what he described as the abuse of the electoral process by governments in power and, increasingly, non-state actors.
Mark also condemned the violence and intimidation reported during the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, where he said no fewer than 30 people reportedly lost their lives.
“The violence and intimidation witnessed during the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, in which no fewer than 30 people reportedly lost their lives, are reprehensible and condemnable,” he said.
According to him, elections should not be viewed as warfare or a do-or-die contest, but as a democratic mechanism through which citizens freely choose their leaders and pursue their aspirations for development and improved living standards.
“Elections should not be treated as war or a do-or-die affair. They should be a democratic process through which citizens freely choose their leaders and advance their aspirations for development and a better quality of life,” he said.
The ADC chairman stressed that political parties and candidates must be able to participate in elections in an environment that guarantees their safety and protects the integrity of the ballot.
“As a political party, we want to contest elections in a secure environment that guarantees free, fair, transparent and credible elections, where every vote counts and every legitimate mandate is respected,” Mark stated.
He said an independent assessment by organisations such as IRI could contribute significantly to identifying weaknesses in the electoral system ahead of the 2027 polls.
“We believe that an independent and credible assessment by organisations such as IRI can make a significant contribution to identifying the challenges ahead and strengthening confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process,” he added.
Responding, IRI African Regional Director, Jenai Cox, said the institute was in Nigeria to conduct a pre-election assessment mission aimed at evaluating preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Cox said members of the IRI delegation had recently monitored the Osun State governorship election, while another delegation had also been present during the Ekiti State governorship election.
“IRI is here conducting a pre-election assessment mission. Our objective of this mission is to assess the preparations of the 2027 general election that will take place,” Cox said.
She disclosed that IRI had been observing elections in Nigeria since 1999, often working jointly with the National Democratic Institute (NDI).
“IRI has been observing elections here in Nigeria since 1999, and we have done them jointly with the National Democratic Institute,” she said.
Cox said the delegation was interested in hearing directly from political parties and other stakeholders about preparations for the 2027 elections, as well as their concerns and expectations.
She disclosed that the assessment mission would conclude at the end of the week, after which the institute would make recommendations based on its observations from the recent off-cycle elections and engagements with stakeholders in Abuja.
“Our pre-election assessment mission will end at the end of this week, where we will be making some recommendations forward on items we have seen from both off-cycle elections as well as our meetings here with a variety of stakeholders here in Abuja,” Cox said.
She thanked the ADC leadership for receiving the delegation and providing an opportunity for the institute to engage with the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
The meeting formed part of IRI’s wider consultations with political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders as the institute assesses Nigeria’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections.
The 13-member delegation comprises of Jendayi Frazier – former Assistant Secretary for African Affairs; Dan Twining – IRI President; Jenai Cox – African Regional Director for IRI; Sophia Moestrup – Deputy Director, West and Central Africa for National Democratic Institute (NDI).
Other members of the delegation are Sentell Barnes – West Africa Regional Program Director for IRI; Francis Madugu – NDI Country Director for Nigeria; Kiely Ford – IRI Program officer for Africa; Hugues Mersac – IRI Program Manager for Africa; Sunday Alao – IRI Senior Governance Advisor; Austin Akers – IRI long term Election Analyst; Leandre Banon – IRI Long Term Election Analyst; Baiko Dass – IRI Nigeria and Etty Peter – IRI Nigeria.
