Stop Treating Elections as War, Do-or-Die Affair, ADC Chairman, David Mark, Tells Politicians

National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has cautioned politicians against treating elections as a do-or-die contest, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the credibility of the 2027 general election. He made these remarks during a meeting with a delegation from the International Republican Institute (IRI) in Abuja, where they discussed preparations for the upcoming polls.

Mark emphasized that elections should be a peaceful process for citizens to choose their leaders freely, without violence, intimidation, manipulation, or abuse of state institutions. He warned that the ADC is deeply concerned about the misuse of the electoral process by those in power and non-state actors, urging the party to contest elections where every vote counts and legitimate mandates are respected.

Mark welcomed the IRI's engagement with political parties, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders, stating that the ADC is open to sharing its experiences and concerns as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify. Jenai Cox, the African Regional Director of IRI, explained that the organization is conducting a pre-election assessment mission to evaluate the preparations for the 2027 general election.

The mission's objective is to assess the electoral process and identify challenges facing the upcoming polls. Cox mentioned that the IRI has been observing elections in Nigeria since the return to democratic rule in 1999, in collaboration with the National Democratic Institute (NDI). The current assessment mission will conclude at the end of the week, with the team making recommendations based on their observations and consultations with stakeholders in Abuja.