The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has pledged that its preparations for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections will strictly reflect the sovereign will of the electorate, as an African Union (AU) pre-election mission opened formal consultations in Abuja.
The delegation, led by former Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen, arrived in the capital on Tuesday to evaluate the country’s electoral readiness and identify potential areas for technical support.
Receiving the mission on behalf of the commission, INEC Acting Chairman Prof. Rhoda Gumus welcomed the engagement as an essential mechanism for institutional learning and building public trust in the electoral process.
Prof. Gumus stated that the commission is undertaking extensive operational and technological preparations, drawing key operational lessons from recent off-cycle governorship elections across the country. She outlined specific areas where AU technical assistance would be valuable, including counter-disinformation strategies, digital training for ad hoc polling staff, and gender inclusivity frameworks.
Reaffirming the commission’s independence under the leadership of INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, Prof. Gumus assured that every administrative decision and technological deployment for the 2027 vote would adhere strictly to the law.
Speaking on behalf of the AU delegation, Mr. Mekonnen noted that the mission will consult widely with political parties, civil society groups, security agencies, and election managers to assess voter register integrity, security coordination, logistics, and results management ahead of the polls.
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