Nigeria, AU Intensify Engagements Ahead Of 2027 General Elections

Nigeria and the African Union (AU) have stepped up cooperation ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the Federal Government pledging support for efforts to promote peaceful, inclusive and credible polls.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, made the commitment when he received the AU Pre-Election and Needs Assessment Mission to Nigeria, led by former Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Demeke Mekonnen Hassen.

The seven day mission is in Nigeria to assess the country’s electoral preparedness and engage government institutions and civil society organisations on measures to support the successful conduct of the 2027 elections.

The AU delegation said it had already held consultations with key stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and civil society organisations, to obtain perspectives on the country’s preparedness for the elections.

The mission’s leader, Hassen, requested the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in facilitating further engagements with institutions involved in the electoral process.

He said Nigeria’s role in shaping democratic governance across Africa made its electoral process significant to the continent, adding that the AU would support initiatives aimed at promoting inclusion, transparency and participation in line with the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Good Governance.

Enikanolaiye welcomed the delegation and assured it of the ministry’s cooperation in facilitating engagements with INEC, political parties, civil society organisations, security agencies and development partners.

The minister expressed the hope that the consultations would produce useful recommendations for strengthening Nigeria’s electoral system, while reiterating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to free, fair and credible elections in 2027.

He also called for a balanced and objective assessment of Nigeria’s electoral processes and outcomes, describing the mission’s findings as a contribution to strengthening democratic institutions and improving electoral processes.