The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a transparent, credible, inclusive and peaceful 2027 general election, assuring Nigerians that the outcome of the polls will reflect the sovereign will of the electorate.

The assurance was given by the Acting Chairman of INEC, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, on Tuesday while receiving the African Union (AU) Pre-Election Needs Assessment Mission on behalf of the Commission at its headquarters in Abuja.

The AU delegation, led by former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen, is in Nigeria to assess the country’s overall electoral preparedness and identify areas requiring further support and intervention.

Welcoming the delegation, Gumus described the mission as an important opportunity for peer assessment, institutional learning and strengthening of Nigeria’s electoral processes at a critical period in the country’s democratic journey.

She said INEC valued its partnership with the AU in advancing democratic standards and credible electoral governance across the continent.

According to her, the mission should not be viewed as a formality but as an important mechanism for strengthening institutional resilience and reinforcing public confidence in the electoral process.

Gumus highlighted the scale of preparations already underway for the 2027 general election, saying INEC was undertaking extensive operational, technological and logistical preparations to ensure effective participation by all eligible Nigerians.

She added that lessons from recent off-cycle elections in Anambra, the Federal Capital Territory, Ekiti and Osun states continued to provide valuable learning opportunities for the Commission.

The Acting Chairman also outlined areas where technical and institutional support from the AU would be valuable.

They include digital training for ad hoc election personnel, countering election-related disinformation and deepfakes, strengthening the Election Monitoring and Support Centre, as well as deepening inclusivity and gender-mainstreaming frameworks.

She emphasised that electoral integrity remained a collective responsibility involving electoral institutions, political parties, civil society organisations, security agencies, the media, development partners and the electorate.

Gumus also reaffirmed the independence and neutrality of the Commission, saying it remained committed to conducting the 2027 election professionally.

She assured that under the current Commission led by Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, every administrative decision would strictly follow the law, while technical deployments would be designed to promote transparency.

She said the final outcome of the 2027 general election would reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian electorate.

Speaking on the purpose of the visit, Mekonnen said the AU mission was designed as a supportive and consultative engagement aimed at assessing activities already underway, identifying gaps and risks, and exploring possible areas of technical assistance.

He said the mission would engage INEC and other key stakeholders to assess preparedness in voter registration and register integrity, electoral technology, logistics, funding, inclusion, transparency, dispute resolution, security coordination and results management.

Mekonnen underscored the continued partnership between Nigeria and the African Union in promoting democratic governance and credible elections across the continent.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has described All Progressives Congress, APC, governors as “politically lazy”.

The comment followed the APC governors’ opposition to his Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike spoke in an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Tuesday, arguing that his decision to support President Bola Tinubu did not mean he had abandoned his political party or agreed that other parties should not field candidates.

Recall that the governors, led by their chairman and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, had said they would not participate in, support or endorse any alliance that could undermine President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid or affect APC candidates at any level.

Reacting, the former Rivers State governor said, “They are politically lazy. When you have your local problems, don’t use Mr President as your excuse.”

According to him, the disagreements surrounding his political activities did not start with his decision to support Tinubu, recalling that he had faced opposition even when he was serving as governor of Rivers State and later as FCT minister.

“This thing did not start today. It started at a ministerial position. They were not happy that I was Minister of FCT. Also, they were unhappy when I was governor,” he added.

Wike said his knowledge of the political situation was greater than that of those criticising his activities, suggesting that his critics would understand his position better if they had access to the information available to him.

The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term in office ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The endorsement was made on Tuesday when the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) visited the Benin Royal Palace to seek the monarch’s blessing and support as the 2027 re-election campaign begins.

The delegation was led by the Director-General of the PCC, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, and included Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko; former Kebbi State Governor, Senator Adamu Aleiro; former Kano State Governor and former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; and former Katsina State Governor and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari.

Also on the delegation were former Senate President Pius Anyim, the Minister of Water Resources, and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, among other members of the campaign council.

The Edo State Deputy Governor received the delegation on behalf of Governor Monday Okpebholo before introducing the team to the monarch.

Speaking during the visit at the palace, Yari conveyed Tinubu’s greetings to the Oba and appealed for the monarch’s blessing and support for the President ahead of the 2027 election.

Yari highlighted what he described as some of the administration’s achievements, including the reduction in food prices, the stabilisation of the naira after it had risen to about ₦1,800 to the dollar, and the construction of inter-regional roads.

In his response, the Oba of Benin thanked Tinubu for the warm reception he received during his visit to the State House in Abuja and expressed appreciation to the campaign council for visiting the palace.

The monarch subsequently prayed for Tinubu to secure a renewed four-year mandate, saying the President should be allowed to continue with his programmes.

“For somebody who is doing well, it is our prayer that he gets a renewed mandate,” the Oba said.

He added in Pidgin: “As he dey pain them, he dey sweet us.”

The monarch also urged Nigerians and opposition parties to support the President, arguing that those who believe Tinubu is doing well should join hands with him to continue his work.

“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone,” he said. “If one is doing well, why not join hands with the President to do what he is doing well? Let President Tinubu finish the good work.”

The Oba further said that not everyone was suited to occupy the office of President and called on opposition parties to support Tinubu in implementing his ongoing programmes.

He asked the delegation to convey his best wishes and appreciation to the President for the hospitality extended to him during his visit to Abuja.