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 remain “non-negotiable.”
Mark also condemned electoral violence, intimidation and other forms of malpractice, saying the ADC expects the next general elections to be transparent, inclusive, peaceful and free from interference.
The former Senate President 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.
Mark said the integrity of the electoral process would be crucial to determining whether Nigerians would have confidence in the outcome of the polls.
“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,” he said.
He expressed concern over what he described as the recurring abuse of the electoral process by governments in power and non-state actors, warning that such practices could weaken democratic governance and erode public confidence in elections.
Mark specifically cited reports of violence and intimidation during the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, describing the development as a warning ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He claimed that reports indicated that at least 30 people were killed during the election, describing the alleged loss of lives 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,” Mark said.
The ADC chairman said his party remained committed to elections conducted in a secure environment where voters could cast their ballots without fear or intimidation.
He stressed that every vote must count and that mandates freely given by the electorate must be respected.
His comments come 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 electoral process emerging as key concerns ahead of the polls.
Earlier, the IRI delegation said its visit was aimed at assessing Nigeria’s level of preparedness and engaging key stakeholders on issues that could affect the conduct of the elections.
The African Regional Director of IRI, Jenai Cox, said the organisation was conducting a pre-election assessment mission to evaluate preparations for the 2027 polls.
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