Former National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC),  Peter Ameh, has welcomed the United States’ expressed intention to monitor Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, but cautioned that such engagement must extend beyond election-day observation to include sustained scrutiny of the entire electoral process.

In a statement on Wednesday, Ameh said the value of the proposed U.S. monitoring would depend on whether it translates into concrete and consistent action rather than “media statements or weak diplomatic gestures.”

He argued that credible international election observation should focus not only on voting day but also on the pre-election environment, where the foundations of a free and fair election are laid.

Ameh expressed concern over what he described as reported oppressive actions by the executive branch and its proxies that allegedly restrict the ability of opposition political parties to organise, express their views and participate freely in the political process.

According to him, any international monitoring effort that overlooks these issues before the elections risks legitimising flawed processes instead of strengthening democratic accountability.
“The survival and deepening of Nigeria’s democratic system hinge on peaceful, free and fair elections whose outcomes genuinely reflect the will of citizens expressed through the ballot,” he said.

He maintained that achieving such elections would require persistent and transparent monitoring throughout the electoral cycle while respecting Nigeria’s sovereignty.

Ameh stressed that although Nigeria’s democracy must ultimately be strengthened by Nigerians, international partners with significant influence have a legitimate role in promoting transparency and discouraging actions that undermine democratic norms.
He noted that the United States possesses considerable global influence and the capacity to support credible elections if it remains committed to the principles of fairness and democratic accountability.

The former IPAC chairman further alleged that the current administration had shown little willingness to allow opposition political parties to operate freely without interference, urging the U.S. and other international partners to begin sustained engagement well ahead of the 2027 elections.

He called on the international community to consistently raise concerns where necessary, engage all relevant Nigerian stakeholders and apply diplomatic pressure when democratic standards are threatened.

According to Ameh, actions taken or neglected in the months preceding the elections would have far-reaching consequences for the credibility of the polls.

He added that credible elections in Nigeria are not only in the interest of Nigerians but are also critical to regional stability and democratic governance across Africa.

Ameh therefore urged the United States to move beyond declarations and commit to a robust, sustained and principled engagement that prioritises the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process from the pre-election period through to the conclusion of the polls.