2027: Credible Polls Key to Preventing Crisis, David Mark Tells FG, INEC

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has warned that only free, fair and transparent elections in 2027 can prevent political conflict and safeguard Nigeria’s stability.

Mark gave the warning on Thursday in Abuja when he received a delegation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on a pre-election fact-finding mission ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The delegation was led by a former Vice-President of Sierra Leone, Victor Bockarie Foe, who said the mission was designed to assess Nigeria’s preparedness for the elections and the prevailing political atmosphere.

Addressing the delegation, the ADC leadership expressed concerns over what it described as the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) inadequate preparedness and commitment to conducting credible elections.

The party also alleged that the Federal Government had compromised key state institutions, including the judiciary and INEC, while raising concerns over the possibility of violence before, during and after the polls.

Mark said Nigeria’s elections were crucial not only to the country’s democratic development but also to peace and stability across the West African sub-region.

He said, “The best way to prevent conflict, especially in relation to elections, is to ensure that they are free, fair and transparent.”

The former Senate President urged ECOWAS to convey the concerns raised by the ADC to the Federal Government and INEC, stressing the need to prevent actions capable of triggering a political crisis.

“We want the same thing—a peaceful and stable Nigeria and West Africa. This is why you must tell the Federal Government and INEC that they must not do anything that could plunge Nigeria into a needless crisis,” he said.

Mark added that the issues raised should form part of ECOWAS’ early warning mechanisms ahead of the elections.

Responding, Foe assured the ADC leadership that the mission would report its concerns, alongside those of other political parties and stakeholders, to the regional body.

He also underscored the importance of peace and political stability in Nigeria to the wider 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 the Electoral Assistance Division.

The statement was signed by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.