ABUJA — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a transparent, credible, inclusive and peaceful 2027 general election, assuring Nigerians that the eventual outcome will reflect the will of the electorate.
The assurance was given on Tuesday by INEC Acting Chairman, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, while receiving the African Union (AU) Pre-Election Needs Assessment Mission at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. The AU delegation is in Nigeria to assess the country’s electoral preparedness ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The mission is being led by Demeke Mekonnen, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia.
Welcoming the delegation, Gumus described the AU visit as an important opportunity for peer assessment, institutional learning and the strengthening of Nigeria’s electoral processes at a critical stage of preparations for the 2027 polls.
She said INEC valued its partnership with the African Union in promoting democratic standards and credible electoral governance across the continent.
According to her, the mission should not be regarded as a mere formality but as a mechanism for strengthening institutional resilience, identifying potential gaps and reinforcing public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Gumus said INEC had already commenced extensive operational, technological and logistical preparations aimed at ensuring effective participation by eligible Nigerians in the 2027 elections.
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She added that lessons from recent off-cycle elections, including the Anambra governorship election and other electoral exercises, continued to provide useful insights for the Commission as it prepares for the next general election. INEC has also been undertaking broader readiness assessments and operational reviews ahead of 2027.
Areas Requiring AU Support
The Acting Chairman identified several areas where technical and institutional support from the African Union could strengthen preparations for the elections.
They include digital training for ad hoc election personnel, countering election-related misinformation, disinformation and deepfakes, strengthening the Election Monitoring and Support Centre, and deepening inclusion and gender-mainstreaming frameworks.
Gumus stressed that electoral integrity was a collective responsibility involving electoral institutions, political parties, civil society organisations, security agencies, the media, development partners and the electorate.
She also reaffirmed the independence and neutrality of INEC, saying the Commission remained committed to administering the 2027 elections professionally and in accordance with the law.
She said that under the current Commission led by Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, administrative decisions would be guided by the law, while technological deployments would be designed to enhance transparency and efficiency.
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Gumus further assured Nigerians that the Commission would work towards ensuring that the final results of the 2027 general election reflect the choice of voters.
AU Explains Mission
Speaking on the purpose of the visit, Mekonnen said the AU mission was a supportive and consultative engagement designed to assess preparations already underway, identify potential gaps and risks, and explore areas where technical assistance could be provided.
He said the delegation would engage INEC and other relevant stakeholders on issues including voter registration and register integrity, electoral technology, logistics, funding, inclusion, transparency, dispute resolution, security coordination and results management.
Mekonnen underscored the importance of continued cooperation between Nigeria and the African Union in strengthening democratic governance and credible electoral processes across Africa.
The AU assessment comes as INEC intensifies preparations for the 2027 elections, with the Commission identifying issues such as voter apathy, public trust and election-related misinformation as areas requiring sustained attention.
INEC has also indicated that it is examining further technological measures, including audits of electoral technology and testing mechanisms ahead of the 2027 polls.
The Commission’s stated mission is to conduct free, fair and credible elections while maintaining autonomy, transparency and integrity in the administration of Nigeria’s electoral process.
