Canada Reaffirms Support For Credible And Free Nigeria 2027 Elections

Canada has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s electoral processes ahead of the 2027 general elections, promising continued engagement with the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The Chargé d’Affaires of Canada to Nigeria, David Sproule, gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to INEC headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

Sproule said Canada remained committed to assisting countries working to strengthen democratic institutions and ensure elections are free, fair and trusted by citizens.

He expressed particular interest in INEC’s preparations for the 2027 polls and pledged continued support in areas including electoral participation, women’s inclusion, public awareness, technical assistance and election observation.

“We will actively be ready to help in terms of observing and commenting on the conduct of elections, towards the goal that we all share,” Sproule stated.

He noted that Canada would continue to share relevant expertise and information that could contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s electoral system.

Receiving the delegation, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, described Nigeria-Canada relations as a longstanding partnership anchored on mutual respect, democratic values, the rule of law and good governance.

He commended Canada for its sustained support for electoral governance, civic education, institutional strengthening and gender inclusion in Nigeria.

The INEC Chairman reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to delivering elections that accurately reflect the will of Nigerians, stressing that its independence and neutrality were central to the credibility of the electoral process.

He assured the international community of INEC’s “absolute independence and unyielding commitment to democratic integrity”.

Amupitan disclosed that the statutory commencement of public campaigns for the 2027 General Election began on 19 August 2026.

He also noted that INEC had participated in the signing of the First National Peace Accord on Issue-Based Campaigns by presidential candidates on 18 August.

The Chairman highlighted the recent Osun State Governorship Election as a significant benchmark, with 94.5 per cent of polling units opening on time alongside optimal BVAS performance and seamless result uploads.

“We view the success in Osun not as a final destination, but as the gold standard that will guide our preparations for 2027,” he stated.

INEC also announced it has established a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Unit to explore responsible AI use in voter registration, data management and results transmission, while developing safeguards against threats like deepfakes and disinformation.

The Commission plans to conduct a nationwide mock accreditation exercise in November 2026 to test its electoral equipment ahead of the elections.