WADEMOS Receives Official Invitation to Observe Nigeria’s 2027 Elections
The West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS) has received an official invitation to observe Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, reaffirming the Network’s growing role in promoting democratic accountability and electoral integrity across West Africa.
The invitation was conveyed in a letter signed by the Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN.
Nigeria goes to the polls on Saturday, January 16, 2027, for its presidential and National Assembly elections, followed by governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on Saturday, February 6, 2027. These will be the eighth general elections since Nigeria’s return to constitutional rule in 1999, when the country transitioned from military rule, re-establishing democratic governance. Since then, Nigeria has held presidential and general elections in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023, making the 2027 polls the eighth consecutive presidential election, marking over two decades of uninterrupted electoral democracy.
The Network’s involvement in the 2027 elections builds on its previous missions during the 2023 general elections, where it deployed both a pre-election solidarity mission and an election observation and learning mission to the country. The missions formed part of WADEMOS’ broader commitment to supporting credible elections and standing in solidarity with civil society actors working to strengthen democracy across the sub-region.
Ahead of the 2023 elections, WADEMOS engaged a wide range of stakeholders in Nigeria, including INEC, civil society organizations, political actors, development partners, youth groups, and the media. These engagements provided an opportunity for the Network to assess the country’s electoral preparedness and better understand key concerns ahead of the polls.
During the elections, the Network observed activities across selected locations and interacted with election officials, observers, civil society actors, and citizens to better understand the electoral environment and the overall conduct of the process. Particular attention was paid to issues around electoral technology, logistics, security, voter participation, and transparency in the transmission of results.
Following the elections, WADEMOS published a report detailing its observations, key findings, and recommendations on the conduct of the polls. The report acknowledged positive developments, including increased youth participation and reforms introduced to improve electoral transparency, while also highlighting challenges that required continued attention from electoral stakeholders and policymakers.
WADEMOS’ engagement in Nigeria forms part of a wider effort by the Network to promote democratic solidarity and peer learning across West Africa. Since its formation in 2022, the Network has participated in election observation and solidarity missions in several countries within the sub-region as part of efforts to support peaceful, transparent, and inclusive democratic processes.
Through these missions, WADEMOS continues to strengthen partnerships with civil society organizations, democracy actors, and governance institutions working to advance constitutional rule and democratic accountability within their respective countries. The approach reflects the Network’s belief that the challenges confronting democracy in West Africa require stronger regional cooperation and solidarity among democratic actors across borders.
For WADEMOS, the invitation to observe Nigeria’s 2027 elections is a recognition of the Network’s growing contribution to democracy and governance in the region. As preparations toward the 2027 elections intensify in Nigeria, WADEMOS expresses its commitment to working with partners and civil society actors across West Africa to advance democratic governance, electoral transparency, and meaningful citizen participation throughout the sub-region.
