The Former National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Peter Ameh, has called on the United States to adopt a sustained and proactive approach to monitoring Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, stressing that credible polls can only be achieved through continuous engagement before, during, and after the electoral process.
In a statement titled “Statement on the U.S. Intention to Monitor Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections,” Ameh described Washington’s expressed intention to monitor the elections as a positive development but cautioned that its significance would depend on whether it translates into meaningful action rather than remaining a diplomatic declaration.
According to him, election observation should not be limited to activities on polling day but must extend to the entire electoral cycle, particularly the pre-election period, when conditions that shape the credibility of elections are established.
He argued that the political environment leading to the elections requires close international attention, alleging that actions by the executive arm of government and its proxies have created an atmosphere that could hinder opposition political parties from organizing freely, expressing their views, and participating effectively in the democratic process.
Ameh maintained that any international monitoring mission that overlooks developments before election day risks validating flawed electoral processes rather than strengthening democracy. He insisted that genuine election integrity depends on ensuring fairness throughout the political process, not merely on voting procedures.
The former IPAC chairman said the future of Nigeria’s democracy rests on conducting peaceful, free, and fair elections that genuinely reflect the will of the electorate. He noted that while safeguarding democracy remains the responsibility of Nigerians, international partners with significant global influence also have a legitimate role in promoting transparency and discouraging actions capable of undermining democratic norms.
He urged the United States to leverage its diplomatic influence by engaging Nigerian stakeholders well ahead of the 2027 polls and consistently raising concerns where democratic standards appear threatened.
According to Ameh, the current administration has shown little willingness to provide opposition political parties with an environment free from interference, making early international engagement even more important in protecting the credibility of the electoral process.
He further argued that decisions and actions taken months and years before the elections would ultimately shape the credibility of the polls on election day, adding that preventive diplomacy is more effective than reacting after irregularities have already occurred.
Ameh also emphasized that credible elections in Nigeria are not only vital to the country’s democratic development but are equally important for regional stability and the promotion of democratic governance across Africa.
He concluded by urging the United States and other international partners to move beyond public declarations and commit to a robust, principled, and sustained engagement throughout Nigeria’s electoral timeline to help safeguard the integrity of the 2027 general elections.
