The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has assured Nigerians that the 2027 general election will be transparent, credible, inclusive and peaceful, with its outcome reflecting the sovereign will of the electorate.
The Acting Chairman of INEC, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, gave the assurance on Tuesday while receiving the African Union Pre-Election Needs Assessment Mission at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The AU delegation, led by Ethiopia’s former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Demeke Mekonnen, is in Nigeria to assess the country’s electoral preparedness and identify areas where technical and institutional support may be required ahead of the 2027 polls.
Gumus described the mission as an opportunity for peer assessment, institutional learning and strengthening of Nigeria’s electoral processes ahead of the general election.
She said INEC valued its partnership with the AU in promoting democratic standards and credible electoral governance across Africa, adding that the assessment should be regarded as more than a routine engagement.
According to her, the mission would help strengthen the Commission’s institutional resilience and reinforce public confidence in the electoral process.
Gumus said INEC had commenced extensive operational, technological and logistical preparations for the 2027 election to ensure that all eligible Nigerians could participate effectively.
She added that lessons from recent off-cycle elections in Anambra, the Federal Capital Territory, Ekiti and Osun states were being used to improve the Commission’s preparations.
The Acting Chairman identified several areas where AU support would be beneficial, including digital training for ad hoc election personnel, tackling election-related disinformation and deepfakes, strengthening the Election Monitoring and Support Centre, and improving inclusivity and gender-mainstreaming frameworks.
Gumus stressed that credible elections could not be achieved by the electoral commission alone, noting that electoral integrity was a collective responsibility involving political parties, civil society organisations, security agencies, the media, development partners and voters.
She also reaffirmed INEC’s independence and neutrality, saying the Commission would conduct the 2027 elections professionally and in accordance with the law.
Gumus said that under the current Commission led by Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, administrative decisions would be guided strictly by the law, while technological deployments would be aimed at promoting transparency.
She reiterated that the ultimate outcome of the 2027 general election would reflect the will of Nigerian voters.
Speaking on the mission, Mekonnen said the AU delegation was in Nigeria for a supportive and consultative assessment rather than to interfere in the country’s electoral process.
He said the mission would examine activities already undertaken by INEC, identify potential gaps and risks, and explore areas where the AU could provide technical assistance.
Mekonnen said the delegation would engage INEC and other stakeholders on issues including voter registration and the integrity of the voters’ register, electoral technology, logistics, funding, inclusion, transparency, dispute resolution, security coordination and results management.
He reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to working with Nigeria to strengthen democratic governance and promote credible elections across the continent.
