The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has declared that his party will only accept the outcome of the 2027 general elections if the process is free, fair, credible, and transparent.
Senator Mark made the assertion on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the International Republican Institute (IRI), led by former US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Jendayi Frazier, on a pre-election assessment mission.
The ADC chairman expressed deep concern over what he termed the abuse of electoral processes by both state actors and, increasingly, non-state actors. He condemned the violence and intimidation reported during the recent Osun State governorship election, describing the alleged loss of at least 30 lives as “reprehensible and condemnable.”
“Elections should not be treated as war or a do-or-die affair. They 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 stated.
He emphasised that the ADC is committed to contesting elections in a secure environment where voters can freely exercise their franchise and every vote counts.
“As a political party, we want to contest elections in a secure environment that guarantees free, fair, transparent, and credible elections, where every vote counts and every legitimate mandate is respected,” he said.
Mark noted that credible assessments by organisations such as the IRI could help identify emerging challenges and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
“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 declared.
He welcomed the IRI’s engagement with political parties, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders, assuring the delegation of the ADC’s readiness to share its experiences and concerns openly.
The ADC chairman commended the IRI for its sustained commitment to democracy, credible elections, and good governance in Nigeria since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999, describing the pre-election assessment mission as particularly timely given prevailing concerns surrounding the 2027 polls.
In response, Ms Frazier said the IRI delegation was in Nigeria to assess the preparedness of political parties and other stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections, and would engage relevant parties as part of efforts to understand the political and electoral environment.
