ADC, EU, Switzerland insist on credible elections

Political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, has warned that Nigeria is facing a dangerous combination of poverty, insecurity, institutional decline and deepening social divisions, risking a “revenge of the poor” if urgent steps are not taken to address the growing hardship.

As 2027 fast approaches, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) insisted on credible elections that will meet all known international standards, not any favour by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.

Similarly, the European Union (EU) and Switzerland urged Nigeria to consolidate democracy by conducting credible, transparent and peaceful elections next year.

Utomi spoke yesterday in Lagos at a joint briefing organised by the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) and the Big Tent of the National Consultative Front (NCFront) on the state of the nation and preparations for credible elections.

He said the condition of Nigerians had become increasingly troubling, with widespread hunger, poverty and anger becoming more pronounced.

“The state of our nation is troubling. The pain, the hunger and the anger in the land is so palpable you could slice it with a blunt knife,” he said.

Utomi cited World Bank poverty figures and an International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimate that about 35 million Nigerians were living with food insecurity, describing the situation as alarming.

The MCE and Big Tent leader said public confidence in major institutions, including the judiciary, police, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had significantly deteriorated.

Utomi criticised the reaction of government supporters to recent interventions by Catholic bishops on the country’s socio-economic conditions.

He urged Nigerians to mobilise ahead of the 2027 elections, calling for a massive turnout as part of what he described as a new journey towards national redemption.

ADC National Chairman, David Mark, while receiving a delegation of the International Republican Institute (IRI) on an assessment visit, emphasised that the opposition party would not negotiate fairness, equity and transparency of the process in any way.

“We appreciate IRI’s continued commitment to strengthening democracy, credible elections and good governance in Nigeria since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999. Your Pre-Election Assessment Mission is particularly important as we prepare for the 2027 general elections.

“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. We, therefore, welcome your engagement with political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, and we are prepared to share our experiences and concerns openly,” he stated.

Earlier in her remarks on behalf of IRI, the Regional Director for Africa, Janai Cox, said the visit was to assess the preparations of the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that the institution had been involved in Nigeria’s elections since 1999.

IRI said it monitored the off-cycle elections so far conducted in Nigeria, including last week’s elections in Osun State.

EU and Switzerland, during the signing of the National Peace Accord for political parties and candidates in Abuja on Tuesday, said Nigeria had a responsibility to lead and inspire other African countries through democratic governance and political stability.

The National Peace Committee organised the ceremony for presidential, governorship and National Assembly candidates contesting the 2027 elections.

EU ambassador to Nigeria and head of delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, was represented by Agnieszka Torres, who stressed Nigeria’s pivotal role as Africa’s largest democracy and a regional democratic leader.

Reaffirming the EU’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s democratic processes, Mignot urged political leaders and candidates to honour the Peace Accord through peaceful, issue-based campaigns without violence, hate speech or disinformation, describing peaceful transfers of power since 1999 as an important African benchmark.