by mercy Peter
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has pledged continued engagement with the European Union (EU) and other international partners to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process, as preparations intensify towards the 2027 General Election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja while receiving the European Union Election Observation Follow-up Mission led by Mr. Barry Andrews, a Member of the European Parliament who also headed the EU Election Observation Mission to Nigeria’s 2023 General Election.
Yakubu noted that the visit was in line with the EU’s tradition of assessing mid-term progress on recommendations made after previous elections.
He recalled similar follow-up missions in 2017 and 2022, stressing that Nigeria has consistently benefited from EU technical inputs.
“In 2019, the EU made 30 recommendations, 11 of which were addressed to INEC, including three priority ones. By comparison, the 2023 report made 23 recommendations, with eight directed to INEC and one listed as priority,” Yakubu explained.
“The remaining 15 recommendations, including five priority areas, require action from the executive, legislature, judiciary, political parties, civil society, the media, and professional bodies.”
The INEC Chairman disclosed that the Commission has already acted on administrative measures within its powers, while collaborating with other stakeholders on cross-cutting issues.
He added that recommendations requiring legislative amendments are being considered in partnership with the National Assembly.
Yakubu revealed that INEC has compiled a comprehensive response to the EU’s observations, noting that the recommendations were also reviewed alongside inputs from other observer groups during the Commission’s post-election assessment of the 2023 polls.
That review, he said, produced 142 reform proposals, many of which have been forwarded to lawmakers for consideration.
“Election is a process governed by law. Many of your recommendations require legal reform. This is why we have engaged extensively with the National Assembly, including a retreat with its Joint Committee on Electoral Matters.
We appeal for the expeditious passage of electoral reform proposals, as uncertainty over the legal framework unsettles our planning,” he stated.
Yakubu assured that INEC will continue to invite international observation groups such as the EU, the Commonwealth, the African Union, and ECOWAS to monitor the 2027 General Election. He emphasized that their independent reports play a vital role in improving electoral quality and credibility.
The INEC Chairman also commended the EU’s sustained support through the EU-SDGN (Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria) programme, affirming the Commission’s readiness to deepen collaboration.
“Your recommendations and continued partnership help us to improve our elections. We look forward to working closely with you as we prepare for 2027,” he concluded.
The meeting was attended by EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Gautier Mignot, other mission experts, senior INEC officials, and members of the INEC Press Corps.
