The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians that the 2027 general election will be transparent, credible, inclusive and peaceful, with the final outcome reflecting the will of the electorate.
The Acting Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, gave the assurance on Tuesday when she received the African Union (AU) Pre-Election Needs Assessment Mission at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja.
The AU delegation, led by former Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Demeke Mekonnen, is in Nigeria to assess the country’s electoral preparedness and identify areas requiring additional support ahead of the 2027 polls.
Gumus described the mission as an opportunity for peer assessment, institutional learning and strengthening of Nigeria’s electoral processes at a critical stage of the country’s democratic development.
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 seen 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 elections to ensure effective participation by all eligible Nigerians.
She noted that lessons from recent off-cycle elections in Anambra, the Federal Capital Territory, Ekiti and Osun states were also providing valuable insights for the Commission’s preparations.
The Acting Chairman identified several areas where technical and institutional support from the AU would be beneficial, including digital training for ad hoc election personnel, combating election-related disinformation and deepfakes, strengthening the Election Monitoring and Support Centre, and improving inclusivity and gender-mainstreaming mechanisms.
She stressed that ensuring electoral integrity was a collective responsibility involving INEC, political parties, civil society organisations, security agencies, the media, development partners and voters.
Gumus further reaffirmed the Commission’s independence and neutrality, insisting that it would conduct the 2027 elections professionally and in accordance with the law.
She said that under the leadership of Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, the Commission would ensure that administrative decisions complied strictly with relevant laws, while the deployment of technology would be geared towards enhancing transparency.
“The final outcome of the 2027 general election will reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian electorate,” she said.
Speaking on the mission, Mekonnen said the AU engagement was supportive and consultative, rather than an exercise intended to interfere in Nigeria’s electoral processes.
He said the delegation would assess ongoing preparations, identify potential gaps and risks, and explore areas where the AU could provide technical assistance.
Mekonnen said the mission would engage INEC and other key 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.
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