The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the Federal Capital Territory has assured the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Pre-Election Mission to Nigeria of its readiness to deliver a peaceful, transparent, credible and inclusive 2027 General Election.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, INEC FCT, Gabriel Longpet, gave the assurance in his welcome remarks to the mission led by His Excellency Victor Bockarie Foh at the INEC FCT Headquarters in Abuja.
Mr Longpet was represented by the Administrative Secretary, Abimbola Oladunjoye.
He said the visit underscores the enduring partnership between Nigeria and ECOWAS in strengthening democratic governance and consolidating electoral integrity across the sub-region.
Mr Longpet disclosed that Nigeria’s voter register now stands at 103 million following the addition of 10 million new registrants, with the FCT accounting for 1.73 million voters.
He stressed the Commission’s commitment to the participation of women, youths and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and to countering misinformation through timely public communication.
He added that INEC’s determination to strengthen its institutional capacity in planning, monitoring and reporting compliance with electoral activities and timelines led to the recent creation of the Department of Planning and Monitoring in the 36 States and FCT.
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Speaking earlier, the Leader of the Mission, H.E. Victor Bockarie Foh, said the visit was in line with Article 13 of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which provides that as elections approach in a member state, the executive secretary shall dispatch a fact-finding mission to assess preparations.
He said Article 13 mandates the mission to collect all legal texts governing the elections, gather information on conditions under which elections will be conducted, meet political actors and relevant authorities, and assess the status of preparations.
He added that the visit affords the Mission the opportunity to engage INEC FCT on operational priorities, challenges and measures to improve readiness ahead of the general elections.
The Pre-Election and Fact Finding Mission were Madam Francess Piagie Alghali, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; Mr Julius F. Sandy, Sierra Leone High Commissioner and Permanent Representative to ECOWAS; and staff of the ECOWAS Commission, UNOWAS and ECONEC.
