ECOWAS PRE-ELECTION FACT-FINDING MISSION HOLDS CONSULTATIONS WITH INEC FCT ABUJA ON PREPARATIONS FOR NIGERIA’S 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS

ECOWAS PRE-ELECTION FACT-FINDING MISSION HOLDS CONSULTATIONS WITH INEC FCT ABUJA ON PREPARATIONS FOR NIGERIA’S 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS

Abuja, Nigeria, 26 October 2026: The ECOWAS Pre-Election Fact-Finding Mission to the Federal Republic of Nigeria has commenced its electoral assessment engagements with a consultation meeting with the management of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, as part of ongoing efforts to assess preparations for Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections. The meeting, held on Monday, 26 October 2026, brought together the ECOWAS delegation and INEC FCT officials, including heads of departments and Electoral Officers from the six Area Councils. The delegation was received by the Administrative Secretary, Mrs. Abimbola Oladunjoye, on behalf of the Resident Electoral Commissioner
INEC FCT outlined its preparations for the 2027 General Elections, covering operational planning, voter registration, personnel recruitment and training, logistics, election technology, security coordination, voter education, and inclusive participation.

Officials said they were coordinating and monitoring activities across the six Area Councils to track progress, identify operational gaps, and address emerging challenges. They also reported that the voter register display for claims and objections had concluded, with 62 claims and no objections recorded in the FCT. However, inadequate death records and limited public reporting continue to hinder the timely identification and removal of deceased persons from the register. On personnel readiness, INEC FCT reported that it was recruiting ad hoc election staff, with National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members expected to make up a significant share of the workforce. They said they were also conducting preliminary sensitisation and training through Community Development Service programmes. The briefing also covered preparations to deploy election materials and technology. Some non-sensitive materials had already been received, with additional supplies expected, and arrangements were outlined for distributing sensitive materials closer to election day.

In his remarks, the Head of the ECOWAS Pre-Election Fact-Finding Mission and Former Vice President of Sierra Leone, H.E. Victor Bockarie FOH, noted that as a regional institution committed to democracy, peace, stability and good governance, ECOWAS recognises the importance of sustained dialogue with electoral management bodies and other relevant stakeholders in supporting transparent, credible, peaceful and inclusive elections across West Africa. He said that the mission’s engagement with INEC FCT marks an important step in its consultations with key electoral stakeholders in Nigeria, as it continues to assess preparations and gather relevant information ahead of the 2027 General Elections.