2027: INEC not committed to improving electoral process – Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised worry about what he sees as INEC’s lack of commitment to improve Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement posted on his X account on Friday, Atiku stated that expectations remain high that INEC would work with the National Assembly to enhance the country’s electoral laws to ensure credible elections.

Atiku said that he met with a European Union group led by Barry Andrews, a member of the European Parliament and the chairman of the 2023 EU Election Observation Mission to Nigeria, as well as the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot. He stated that the conference was a follow-up to proposals made by the EU following the 2023 general elections.

According to him, only credible elections will safeguard Nigeria’s democracy and ensure the emergence of leaders capable of uniting the country and driving economic prosperity.

He said: “Yesterday evening, I received a high-powered European Union delegation, including the Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E Gautier Mignot.

“The delegation led by Barry Andrews, a member of the European Parliament, who was also Head of the 2023 EU- Election Observation Mission to Nigeria, is engaging in broad-based conversation on the future of Nigerian elections.

“This visit is a follow-up mission to see the level of implementation of a set of recommendations made by the team following the 2023 General elections.

“Expectations are high that the Independent National Electoral Commission will urgently work with the National Assembly to give citizens election laws that guarantee transparent and credible elections, where every vote counts.

“It is worrisome that two years down the line, we are yet to see indications that INEC is committed to an improved electoral process.

“Meanwhile, we shall continue to support efforts by CSOs, local and foreign Election Observations Missions (EOMs), including the EU-EOM, that will lead to genuine electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 General elections.

“We believe that only through credible elections shall we safeguard our democracy and recruit leaders that will ensure unity and economic prosperity of Nigeria.”