…as mission gives preliminary nod to electoral preparedness, seeks sustained stakeholder engagement
By Gloria Ikibah 
The Federal Government has assured the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) of its commitment to conducting peaceful, credible, transparent and inclusive general elections in 2027.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, gave the assurance on Thursday, October 29, when she received an ECOWAS Pre-Election Fact-Finding Mission led by former Vice-President of Sierra Leone, Victor Bockarie Foh, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
The minister said Nigeria was determined to ensure that the forthcoming elections strengthened democratic governance in the country and the wider West African sub-region.
She reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to conducting the elections in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution and applicable electoral laws, describing the 2027 electoral process as a defining moment for the country’s democracy.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasised that institutional preparedness, transparent voter accreditation, effective result management and timely resolution of electoral disputes were essential to building public confidence in the electoral system.
She also emphasised the need for effective coordination among security agencies to protect candidates, electoral officials, observers and voters before, during and after the elections.
The minister maintained that security personnel must discharge their responsibilities professionally and impartially, in line with the country’s human rights obligations.
On the role of other stakeholders, she highlighted the importance of voter education and effective enforcement of laws against electoral offences, noting that political parties, civil society organisations, traditional institutions and the media all had important roles to play in ensuring peaceful elections.
She also raised concerns over the dangers of misinformation and disinformation, stressing the need for accurate, accessible and timely electoral information.
The minister further identified the need to strengthen practical measures that would encourage the participation of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in the electoral process.
She acknowledged the importance of credible election observation, noting that it would promote transparency, strengthen public confidence and help identify areas requiring improvement.
Speaking earlier, Foh explained that the mission was in Nigeria to assess the country’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections through consultations with relevant institutions and stakeholders.
He said the exercise involved engagements with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations and the media.
The former Sierra Leonean Vice-President disclosed that the mission had already held discussions with several stakeholders, including the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He described the engagements as constructive, adding that the mission’s preliminary assessment suggested a favourable environment for the forthcoming elections.
However, he clarified that consultations were still ongoing and that a comprehensive report, containing the mission’s findings and recommendations, would be submitted upon completion of the exercise.
Foh welcomed the assurances given by the foreign affairs minister and expressed optimism about Nigeria’s preparedness for the 2027 elections.
He stressed the importance of sustained engagement with stakeholders and continued efforts to address issues identified during the consultations.
According to him, Nigeria’s ability to conduct credible elections in 2027 would have implications beyond its borders, given the country’s importance to democratic governance and stability across West Africa.
The meeting ended with both Nigeria and ECOWAS reaffirming their commitment to promoting democratic governance, peace, stability and prosperity in the West African sub-region.
