EU, ADC Demand Urgent Electoral Reforms Ahead of 2027 Polls

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM) in Nigeria have jointly called for urgent reforms of the country’s electoral system to ensure free, fair, and credible elections in 2027.

The call followed a high-level meeting between the EU delegation, led by Chief of Mission and Member of the European Parliament, Mr. Barry Andrews, and the ADC leadership in Abuja. The engagement formed part of the EU’s review of Nigeria’s 2023 general elections and sought to identify flaws and recommend corrective measures ahead of the next electoral cycle.

The ADC delegation, headed by its National Chairman, Senator David Mark, included National Secretary Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, former governors Liyel Imoke and Emeka Ihedioha, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, former Minister Bolaji Abdullahi, and others.

Both parties lamented that the 2023 elections were marred by irregularities and failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians. They criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary for what they described as a failure to protect the people’s mandate.

The ADC accused INEC of breaching public trust by not delivering on its promise of real-time results transmission through the IReV portal, noting that final outcomes were inconsistent with votes cast. “The 2023 elections represent a major setback to Nigeria’s democratic progress,” the party said.

To prevent a repeat, the ADC proposed that the appointment of INEC Chairman and National Commissioners should not rest solely with the President. Instead, political parties with at least five members in the National Assembly should have the right to nominate officials of the electoral umpire.

The party also criticized the judiciary’s handling of electoral disputes, insisting that contested outcomes should be resolved through fresh elections rather than court rulings, to uphold the electorate’s sovereign right to choose its leaders.

The EU delegation included Mr. Barry Andrews (Chief of Mission), Mr. Gautier Mignot (EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS), Mr. Ralph-Michael Peters (Election Expert), Ms. Eirini-Maria Gounari (Election Legal Expert), Mr. Maros Gabriel (Election Administration Expert), Ms. Laolu Olawumi (Programme Manager, Democracy and Rule of Law), Mr. Osaro Odemwingie (Political Adviser), and Mr. Ruben Alba Aguilera (Team Leader, EU Delegation).