{"id":4265,"date":"2026-09-15T17:40:23","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T17:40:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/?p=4265"},"modified":"2026-09-15T17:53:38","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T17:53:38","slug":"inec-au-mission-collaborate-for-credible-peaceful-2027-general-elections-in-nigeria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/?p=4265","title":{"rendered":"INEC, AU Mission collaborate, restate commitment to credible, peaceful 2027 General Elections in Nigeria"},"content":{"rendered":"

*The Independent National Electoral Commission restates commitment to transparent, credible, inclusive and peaceful 2027 General Elections<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect<\/p>\n

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the African Union (AU) Pre-Election Needs Assessment Mission have commenced engagements in Abuja, FCT, amid preparations for 2027 General Elections in Nigeria.<\/p>\n

INEC reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a transparent, credible, inclusive and peaceful polls that will reflect the will of the Nigerian electorate year.<\/p>\n

The Commission disclosed His Excellency Demeke Mekonnen, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,  Tuesday, September 15, 2026, led the AU delegation to its Headquarters, in Abuja.<\/p>\n

It said Mekonnen was in Nigeria to assess the country’s overall electoral preparedness and identify areas requiring further support and intervention.<\/p>\n

Receiving the delegation on behalf of the Commission in Abuja, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, Acting Chairman of INEC, welcomed the Mission, and described it as an important opportunity for peer assessment, institutional learning and the strengthening of Nigeria’s electoral processes at a critical period in the country’s democratic journey.<\/p>\n

Update on INEC preparations for 2027 polls, by Prof. Gumus<\/strong><\/p>\n

Prof. Gumus said the Commission values its partnership with the African Union in advancing democratic standards and credible electoral governance across the continent.<\/p>\n

She also noted that the mission should not be viewed as a formality, but as an indispensable mechanism that strengthens institutional resilience and reinforces public confidence in the ballot box.<\/p>\n

The Acting Chairman of INEC also highlighted the scale of preparations already underway for the 2027 General Elections.<\/p>\n

The Commission further that INEC is undertaking extensive operational, technological and logistical preparations to ensure effective participation by all eligible Nigerians.<\/p>\n

According to her, lessons drawn from recent off-cycle elections in Anambra, the Federal Capital Territory, Ekiti and Osun continue to serve as valuable learning opportunities for the Commission.<\/p>\n

The Acting Chairman also outlined specific areas where technical and institutional support from the AU would be valuable, including digital training for ad hoc election personnel, countering election-related disinformation and deepfakes, strengthening the Election Monitoring and Support Centre, and deepening inclusivity and gender-mainstreaming frameworks.<\/p>\n

Electoral integrity, Gumus said, remains a collective responsibility involving electoral institutions, political parties, civil society, security agencies, the media, development partners and the electorate, while reaffirming the absolute independence, neutrality and professional resolve of the Commission.<\/p>\n

INEC said Prof. Gumus assured that under the watch of the current Commission led by Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, every administrative decision will strictly follow the law, every technical deployment will serve transparency, and the final outcome of the 2027 General Election will reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian electorate.<\/p>\n

Why we’re in Nigeria: Mekonnen, Head of AU Mission<\/strong><\/p>\n

Speaking on the purpose of the visit, His Excellency Demeke Mekonnen, Head of the AU Mission, explained that the mission is designed as a supportive and consultative engagement to assess activities already on track, identify existing gaps and risks, and explore possible areas of technical assistance.<\/p>\n

He noted that the mission will engage widely with INEC and other key stakeholders to examine preparedness in voter registration and register integrity, electoral technology, logistics, funding, inclusion, transparency, dispute resolution, security coordination and results management.<\/p>\n

He underscored the continued partnership between Nigeria and the African Union (AU) in promoting democratic governance across the continent.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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