By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining cooperation with the African Union (AU) towards strengthening democratic governance and promoting credible, peaceful and inclusive elections in Nigeria.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, gave the assurance when he received the African Union (AU) Pre-Election and Needs Assessment Mission to Nigeria, led by former Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Demeke Mekonnen Hassen, on September 16, 2026.
The seven-day AU mission is in Nigeria to assess the country’s electoral preparedness and provide support to relevant government authorities and civil society organizations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Hassen thanked the Nigerian Government for the cooperation and support extended to his delegation since its arrival in the country.
He said the mission had already engaged key stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and civil society organizations, to obtain diverse perspectives on Nigeria’s level of preparedness for the 2027 elections.
The AU envoy also requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ assistance in facilitating further engagements with other institutions relevant to the conduct of free, fair and credible elections.
Hassen acknowledged the extensive preparations required to conduct elections in a large democratic country such as Nigeria, while stressing the country’s important role in shaping democratic norms across Africa.
He assured that the AU would continue to support efforts to enhance inclusion, fairness and transparency in Nigeria’s electoral processes ahead of the 2027 elections, in line with the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Good Governance.
Responding, Enikanolaiye welcomed the AU Mission and described its visit as important, particularly as preparations for the 2027 electoral process are already underway.
He commended the mission’s mandate as a demonstration of the AU’s continued commitment to consolidating democratic governance and promoting credible elections across Africa.
The minister also commended the AU and its institutions for their efforts towards ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections across the continent, noting the organization’s contribution to deepening democratic culture in Africa.
Enikanolaiye assured the mission of the full cooperation and support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant government institutions in facilitating its engagements in Nigeria.
He expressed hope that the mission’s consultations with INEC, political parties, civil society organizations, security agencies, development partners and other stakeholders would provide useful insights and recommendations for further strengthening Nigeria’s electoral system.
The minister further reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in 2027.
He noted that Nigeria had successfully conducted democratic transitions since May 1999 and expressed confidence that the country would continue along that trajectory.
Enikanolaiye said the AU mission’s balanced and objective assessment of Nigeria’s electoral processes and outcomes would be welcomed as a constructive contribution to ongoing efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and improve the electoral system.
The engagement underscored the sustained cooperation between Nigeria and the AU in promoting democratic governance, strengthening electoral institutions and advancing peaceful, transparent, credible and inclusive elections across Africa.
