Abuja – National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has cautioned political actors against turning elections into violent contests, insisting that the credibility of the 2027 general election must not be compromised.
Mark gave the warning in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the United States-based International Republican Institute (IRI), which is currently conducting a pre-election assessment mission ahead of the 2027 polls.
The former Senate President said Nigerians must be allowed to freely choose their leaders without intimidation, violence, manipulation or the misuse of state institutions.
His remarks come amid concerns over violence recorded during the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, where reports indicated that at least 30 people lost their lives.
According to Mark, such incidents have no place in a democratic society and threaten the integrity of the electoral process.
“Elections should not be treated as war or a do-or-die affair. They should be a democratic process through which citizens freely choose their leaders and advance their aspirations for development and a better quality of life,” he said.
The ADC chairman expressed concern over what he described as the growing abuse of the electoral process by both state and non-state actors, stressing that elections must reflect the genuine will of the people.
He stated that the party’s primary expectation for the 2027 elections is a transparent, inclusive and peaceful process in which every vote counts and legitimate mandates are respected.
“For us in the ADC, the credibility of the 2027 elections must be non-negotiable. We expect the electoral process to be transparent, inclusive, peaceful, and free from manipulation, intimidation and the abuse of state institutions,” Mark added.
He also welcomed IRI’s engagement with political parties, civil society groups and other stakeholders, noting that the ADC was prepared to share its experiences and concerns as preparations for the next general election intensify.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, IRI’s African Regional Director, Jenai Cox, said the institute’s mission was aimed at assessing Nigeria’s preparedness for the 2027 elections and gathering perspectives from key stakeholders.
According to her, members of the assessment team recently visited Osun State to observe the off-cycle governorship election, while a smaller delegation also travelled to Ekiti State.
Cox noted that the IRI, working alongside the National Democratic Institute (NDI), has monitored elections in Nigeria since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
“IRI is here conducting a pre-election assessment mission. Our objective of this mission is to assess the preparations of the 2027 general election that will take place,” she said.
She disclosed that the assessment mission would conclude later this week, after which the institute would present recommendations based on observations from the off-cycle elections and consultations with political parties, election officials, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
“Our pre-election assessment mission will end at the end of this week, where we will be making some recommendations forward on items we have seen from both off-cycle elections as well as our meetings here with a variety of stakeholders here in Abuja,” Cox stated.
The visit forms part of ongoing international efforts to monitor Nigeria’s electoral preparations and promote credible, peaceful and transparent elections ahead of the 2027 general polls.
