2027 poll: David Mark urges ECOWAS to insist on credible Nigerian elections
2027 poll: David Mark urges ECOWAS to insist on credible Nigerian elections
The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to insist that Nigeria conducts a transparent and credible election ahead of the January 2027 general elections.
Mark made the call on Thursday in Abuja while receiving an ECOWAS delegation on a pre-election fact-finding mission to Nigeria.
In a statement signed by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, and dated October 29, 2026, the ADC chairman urged the regional body to communicate to the Federal Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that only a free, fair and transparent election would help prevent a political crisis in Nigeria.
The delegation was led by the Head of Mission and former Vice President of Sierra Leone, Mr Victor Bockarie Foh, who explained that the mission was designed to assess Nigeria’s preparedness for the elections and examine the political atmosphere ahead of the polls.
During the meeting, the ADC leadership expressed concerns about INEC’s level of preparedness and commitment to conducting a credible election.
The opposition party also raised concerns over what it described as the government’s “capture” of state institutions, including the judiciary and INEC, as well as alleged threats of violence from the ruling party.
Mark noted that the conduct of elections in Nigeria was critical to the stability of the West African region and would attract international attention.
“This is why we must all work together to ensure we get it right. You have made us to understand that your mission is pursuant to the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework. We are quite happy with this. But the best way to prevent conflict, especially in relation to elections, is to ensure that it is free, fair and transparent,” he said.
The former Senate President further called on ECOWAS to support efforts to ensure a credible electoral process, stressing that the ADC was committed to peaceful conduct before, during and after the elections.
“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. 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,” he said.
In his response, Foh promised to communicate the ADC’s concerns, alongside those of other stakeholders, to the regional body.
He also emphasised the importance of peace and stability in Nigeria to the wider West African region.
Other members of the ECOWAS 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, among others.
