ECOWAS deploys pre-election mission to Nigeria ahead of 2027 polls

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has deployed a high-level fact-finding mission to Nigeria to assess the country’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections.

The five-day mission, which began on Monday, October 26, will examine the political and electoral environment ahead of the polls and identify potential challenges to the conduct of credible elections.

The delegation is being led by former Vice-President of Sierra Leone, Victor Bockarie Foh, and is expected to conclude its work on Friday, October 30.

According to ECOWAS, the mission is being undertaken under provisions of its Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework and a decision by the Authority of Heads of State to deploy pre-election fact-finding missions to member states holding elections.

The delegation includes ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Francess Piagie Alghali; Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Julius Fofanah Sandy; and other officials and electoral experts from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

Representatives from ECOWAS departments responsible for political affairs, communication, early warning, electoral assistance and democracy and good governance are also part of the mission.

During the visit, the delegation is expected to engage political party and coalition leaders, government institutions, Nigeria’s electoral management body, civil society organisations and other stakeholders in the electoral process.

The mission will also gather information on Nigeria’s electoral laws, the conditions under which the elections will be conducted, the candidates expected to contest and the broader political atmosphere ahead of the polls.

ECOWAS said the consultations would help the delegation assess Nigeria’s level of preparedness for the elections and identify opportunities, challenges and institutional requirements associated with the electoral process.

The deployment forms part of the regional bloc’s efforts to support democratic governance, electoral credibility and peaceful elections in its member states.