The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to intervene ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election, warning that any compromise to the credibility of the polls could trigger political instability with consequences for the entire West African region.
The party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark, made the appeal on Thursday when he received a delegation of the ECOWAS Commission led by its Head of Mission, Mr Victor Bockarie Foeh, who visited to assess Nigeria’s political atmosphere and preparedness for the elections.
Mark, according to a statement by ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, expressed concerns over what he described as the growing capture of state institutions, including the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), by the ruling government.
He also raised concerns over INEC’s preparedness and commitment to conducting a free, fair and transparent election, while alleging that threats of violence had continued to emanate from the ruling party.
The ADC chairman urged ECOWAS to make credible elections a central part of its early warning and conflict prevention efforts, arguing that electoral transparency remained the most effective way to prevent political violence.
“ 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.
Mark said the ADC was committed to ensuring a peaceful 2027 electoral process but insisted that the responsibility for credible elections rested largely on the government and the electoral commission.
He added that the party expected ECOWAS to join other stakeholders in demanding accountability and transparency from the relevant institutions before the polls.
Earlier, Foeh, a former Vice President of Sierra Leone, said the delegation’s visit was part of ECOWAS’ efforts under its Conflict Prevention Framework to evaluate Nigeria’s readiness for the elections and assess the prevailing political environment.
He said the mission would engage relevant stakeholders to obtain a clearer understanding of the country’s electoral preparations and possible challenges.
Foeh assured Mark that the concerns raised by the ADC, alongside submissions from other stakeholders, would be communicated to the regional body.
He stressed that peace and stability in Nigeria were vital not only to the country but also to the wider West African region, given Nigeria’s strategic importance to the sub-region.
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