African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Chairman David Mark has asked the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to tell the Federal Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that only a free, fair and transparent election will be acceptable.
Mark made the request in Abuja on Thursday, when he received an ECOWAS delegation on a pre-election fact-finding mission ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
He also asked the regional body to include possible actions that could cause a crisis in Nigeria among its early warning signals.
The ADC chairman said the party wanted ECOWAS to help ensure a credible election, citing the need for peace and stability in Nigeria and the West African region.
ADC raises concerns over INEC, state institutions
During the meeting, the ADC leadership questioned INEC’s preparedness and commitment to conducting a free and fair election.
The party also accused the government of taking control of state institutions, including the judiciary and INEC. It further raised concerns over what it called threats of violence from the ruling party.
Mark said Nigeria’s elections had implications for stability across West Africa and would attract global attention.
He told the delegation that preventing election-related conflict required a process that was free, fair and transparent.
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“This is why we must all work together to ensure we get it right. You have made us to understand that your mission is pursuant to the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework. We are quite happy with this. But the best way to prevent conflict, especially in relation to elections, is to ensure that it is free, fair and transparent,” he said.
The chairman also said the ADC had committed itself to peaceful conduct before, during and after the election.
He called on ECOWAS to support the party’s demand for a credible poll and warn the Nigerian government and INEC against actions that could lead to a crisis.
“We in the ADC have committed ourselves to the highest standards of peaceful conducts before, during and after the elections. But we need ECOWAS to join us in insisting on a credible election now. We want the same thing -a peaceful and stable Nigeria and West Africa,” Mark said.
“This is why you must tell the Federal Government and the INEC that they must not do anything that could plunge Nigeria into needless crisis. This must form a part of your early warning signals,” he added.
ECOWAS promises to report party’s concerns
The head of the mission, Victor Bockarie Foe, a former Vice President of Sierra Leone, said the delegation was in Nigeria to assess preparations for the general election and examine the political atmosphere ahead of the poll.
He promised to report the ADC’s concerns, along with those raised by other stakeholders in the country, to the regional body.
Foe also stressed the importance of peace and stability in Nigeria to the entire West African region.
Other members of the delegation included Francess Piage Alghali, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; Julius Fofanah Sandy, representing the ECOWAS Permanent Representatives’ Committee; and Segrine Mamadou, Head of Electoral Assistance Division.
The mission’s visit comes ahead of the 2027 general election and is intended to assess the country’s readiness for the exercise.
WHAT READERS SHOULD KNOW
The ADC wants ECOWAS to communicate its expectations for Nigeria’s election directly to the Federal Government and INEC. The party has raised questions about electoral preparedness, the independence of state institutions and alleged threats of violence.
ECOWAS has promised to report the issues raised by the ADC and those raised by other stakeholders to the regional body. The delegation’s stated objectives include assessing election preparations and the political atmosphere ahead of the poll.
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