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 outcome will reflect the sovereign will of the electorate.
The Acting Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, gave the assurance on Tuesday while receiving the African Union (AU) Pre-Election Needs Assessment Mission at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja.
The AU delegation, led by former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen, is in Nigeria to assess the country’s electoral preparedness and identify areas where further support and intervention may be required.
Gumus described the mission as an important opportunity for peer assessment, institutional learning and the strengthening of Nigeria’s electoral processes at a critical stage in 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 mission should be seen as more than a formal engagement.
According to her, the assessment would help strengthen institutional resilience and reinforce public confidence in the electoral process.
Gumus said preparations for the 2027 general election were already underway, with the Commission carrying out extensive operational, technological and logistical planning to ensure effective participation by all eligible Nigerians.
She added that lessons from recent off-cycle elections in Anambra, the Federal Capital Territory, Ekiti and Osun states were providing valuable insights for the Commission ahead of the 2027 polls.
The Acting Chairman identified areas where AU technical and institutional support would be particularly useful, 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 frameworks.
She stressed that electoral integrity was a collective responsibility requiring the cooperation of electoral institutions, political parties, civil society organisations, security agencies, the media, development partners and the electorate.
Gumus also reaffirmed INEC’s independence and neutrality, assuring Nigerians that the Commission would conduct the 2027 election professionally and in accordance with the law.
She said that under the current Commission led by Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, all administrative decisions would strictly comply with legal provisions, while the deployment of technology would be guided by the need to enhance transparency.
Gumus reiterated that the final outcome of the 2027 general election would reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.
Mekonnen, who explained the purpose of the AU mission, said the visit was a supportive and consultative engagement aimed at reviewing preparations already underway, identifying gaps and risks, and exploring areas for possible technical assistance.
He said the delegation would engage INEC and other key stakeholders on issues including voter registration and register integrity, electoral technology, logistics, funding, inclusion, transparency, dispute resolution, security coordination and results management.
Mekonnen reaffirmed the AU’s partnership with Nigeria in promoting democratic governance and credible elections across the continent.
