By Opeyemi Adelakun
National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has warned against the use of state institutions to manipulate the 2027 general elections, insisting that the credibility of the polls must be guaranteed.
Mark spoke on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the International Republican Institute (IRI), which is in Nigeria to assess preparations for the 2027 elections.
The former Senate President said Nigerians must be able to participate in an electoral process that is transparent, inclusive, peaceful and free from intimidation or interference.
“For us in the ADC, the credibility of the 2027 elections must be non-negotiable. We expect the electoral process to be transparent, inclusive, peaceful and free from manipulation, intimidation and the abuse of state institutions,” Mark said.
He expressed concern over what he described as the repeated abuse of the electoral process by governments in power and other actors, warning that such practices could weaken democratic governance and erode public confidence in elections.
Mark also referenced the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, particularly reports of violence and intimidation during the exercise.
He claimed that reports indicated that at least 30 people were killed during the election, describing the alleged deaths as reprehensible and condemnable.
“Elections should not be treated as war or a do-or-die affair. There should be a democratic process through which citizens freely choose their leaders and advance their aspirations for development and a better quality of life,” he said.
The ADC chairman said his party was committed to ensuring that elections are conducted in a secure environment where voters can cast their ballots without fear.
He stressed that every vote must count and that mandates freely given by the electorate must be respected.
According to him, the integrity of the electoral process will be crucial to determining whether Nigerians accept the outcome of the 2027 elections and retain confidence in the country’s democratic institutions.
The warning comes as political parties and other stakeholders intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with electoral violence, the neutrality of state institutions and the credibility of the voting process emerging as major concerns.
The IRI delegation said its visit was part of efforts to assess Nigeria’s preparedness for the forthcoming elections and engage relevant stakeholders on issues that could affect their conduct.
The African Regional Director of the IRI, Jenai Cox, said the organisation was conducting a pre-election assessment mission as part of its engagement on preparations for the 2027 polls.
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