Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed concern over what he described as the lack of commitment by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improving Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement on his X handle on Friday, Atiku said expectations remain high that INEC will collaborate with the National Assembly to strengthen the country’s electoral laws to ensure credible and transparent polls.
Atiku revealed that he met with a European Union delegation led by Barry Andrews, a member of the European Parliament and head of the 2023 EU Election Observation Mission to Nigeria, along with EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot.
He said the meeting was a follow-up on recommendations made by the EU after the 2023 general elections.
According to Atiku, only credible elections can 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, who also headed the 2023 EU Election Observation Mission to Nigeria, engaged in broad-based discussions on the future of Nigerian elections.
“This visit is a follow-up mission to assess the level of implementation of recommendations made by the team following the 2023 general elections.
“Expectations are high that INEC will urgently work with the National Assembly to provide citizens with 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 clear indications that INEC is committed to an improved electoral process.
“Meanwhile, we shall continue to support efforts by civil society organisations, local and foreign election observation missions, including the EU-EOM, that will lead to genuine electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We believe that only through credible elections can we safeguard our democracy and elect leaders who will ensure unity and economic prosperity for Nigeria.”
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.
