EU, ADC Call for Urgent Electoral Reforms to Guarantee Free, Fair, and Credible Elections in Nigeria
Abuja, Nigeria — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM) have jointly called for comprehensive electoral reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and ensure that future elections are free, fair, and credible ahead of the 2027 general polls.
EU and ADC Discuss the Way Forward
The EU delegation, led by Mr. Barry Andrews, Chief of Mission and Member of the European Parliament, met with the ADC leadership in Abuja as part of its post-election review of the 2023 general elections. The meeting focused on identifying weaknesses in the last electoral process and developing strategies to enhance transparency and public confidence in future polls.
Representing the ADC, Senator David Mark, the National Chairman, and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the National Secretary, led a team of party leaders who engaged in deep discussions with the EU officials. Both parties emphasized the importance of credible elections as the bedrock of democratic governance.
Concerns Over 2023 General Elections
During the dialogue, both the ADC and EU-EOM expressed serious concerns over the conduct of the 2023 general elections. They observed that the polls were marred by irregularities and operational lapses that failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians. The ADC accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of failing to uphold its commitment to real-time transmission of results through the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.
The party noted that inconsistencies between votes cast and final results announced undermined public trust and represented a major setback to Nigeria’s democratic progress. They further criticized the judiciary for not adequately protecting the people’s mandate as expressed at the ballot box.
ADC’s Proposals for Reform
To prevent a repeat of such electoral lapses, the ADC presented a number of reform proposals. One key recommendation is that the appointment of the INEC Chairman and National Commissioners should no longer rest solely with the President. Instead, all political parties with at least five representatives in the National Assembly should be given the opportunity to nominate candidates for these positions to guarantee neutrality and fairness.
The ADC also urged reforms in the judicial handling of election petitions, arguing that courts should not override the collective will of the electorate. In disputed cases, the party proposed that decisions should revert to the voters through fresh elections rather than judicial rulings.
Delegations at the Meeting
The ADC delegation, led by Senator David Mark, included Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Liyel Imoke, Emeka Ihedioha, Babachir Lawal, Bolaji Abdullahi, Ibrahim Mani, and Chile Igbawua, among others.
The EU delegation comprised Mr. Barry Andrews (Chief of Mission, EU Follow-Up Mission), Mr. Gautier Mignot (EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS), Mr. Ralph-Michael Peters (Election Expert and Team Lead), Ms. Eirini-Maria Gounari (Election Legal Expert), Mr. Maros Gabriel (Election Administration Expert), Ms. Laolu Olawumi (Programme Manager, Democracy and Rule of Law), Mr. Osaro Odemwingie (Political Adviser), and Mr. Ruben Alba Aguilera (Team Leader, EU Delegation).
Shared Commitment to Strengthening Democracy
Both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing Nigeria’s democratic institutions through open dialogue, transparency, and citizens’ participation. The EU delegation pledged continued support in electoral reform efforts and civic education initiatives that promote accountability and good governance.
The meeting concluded with a mutual understanding that implementing effective electoral reforms is essential to restore voter confidence, strengthen the electoral system, and guarantee credible outcomes in the 2027 general elections.