2027: Mark Urges ECOWAS to Insist on Transparent, Credible Elections in Nigeria
By Pan Afric Reporters
National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to press the Federal Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to guarantee transparent, free and credible elections in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ADC disclosed this in a press statement issued on Thursday, October 29, 2026, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, following Mark’s meeting with an ECOWAS pre-election fact-finding mission in Abuja.
Mark warned that any electoral process that undermines credibility could trigger an avoidable political crisis, stressing that Nigeria’s electoral outcomes have significant implications for peace and stability across West Africa.
“This is why we must all work together to ensure we get it right,” he said, adding that although the mission was operating under the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework, the most effective way to prevent election-related conflict was to ensure that the process was free, fair and transparent.
The ADC chairman also called on ECOWAS to raise concerns about the conduct of the 2027 elections with the Nigerian government and INEC, insisting that the regional body should make credible elections a priority in its engagement with the country.
“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,” Mark said.
He added: “We want the same thing—a peaceful and stable Nigeria and West Africa. 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.”
During the meeting, the ADC leadership expressed concerns over INEC’s preparedness and commitment to conducting a free and fair election. The party also alleged that government influence had compromised key state institutions, including the judiciary and the electoral commission, while raising concerns about what it described as threats of violence from the ruling party.
The allegations were presented by the ADC leadership and were not independently established in the press statement.
Earlier, the head of the ECOWAS mission and former Vice President of Sierra Leone, Mr. Victor Bockarie Foe, said the delegation was in Nigeria to assess preparations for the forthcoming elections and examine the political atmosphere ahead of the polls.
Foe assured the ADC leadership that the mission would convey its concerns, alongside those of other stakeholders, to the regional body. He also emphasised that peace and stability in Nigeria were critical 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 engagement forms part of ECOWAS’ pre-election consultations as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, with electoral credibility, political stability and conflict prevention emerging as key issues in the build-up to the polls.
