KEY POINTS
- EU mission urges judicial and constitutional reforms in Nigeria.
- INEC warns delays in amendments could disrupt 2027 elections.
- Civil groups demand stronger INEC autonomy and transparency.
The European Union Election Observation Mission has called for sweeping judicial and constitutional reforms in Nigeria as the country heads toward its 2027 general election.
Barry Andrews, a member of the European Parliament and head of the EU Mission to the 2023 polls, led the delegation to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja on Tuesday. The visit was part of a follow-up on recommendations made after last year’s election.
EU observers stress constitutional changes
Andrews commended INEC’s cooperation and commitment to improving electoral standards but noted that key reforms remain outstanding. “We have noted significant improvements in several areas, though some challenges remain, particularly those requiring judicial and constitutional reforms which take more time,” he said.
INEC warns of delays in reforms
INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu urged the National Assembly to move quickly on electoral amendments, warning that uncertainty over the legal framework could disrupt election planning. Of the EU’s 23 recommendations after 2023, he said eight fall under INEC’s remit, while 15 including five priority ones require action from other institutions.
Yakubu said INEC’s internal post-election review produced 142 recommendations, complementing observer reports. He added that Nigeria would soon invite the EU, AU, Commonwealth, and ECOWAS to observe the 2027 vote.
Stakeholders push for electoral independence
Civil society groups and political figures have renewed calls for constitutional amendments to strengthen INEC’s autonomy.Some of the ideas are sending results electronically, giving money directly, setting up a tribunal for electoral crimes, and changing how INEC leaders are chosen.
Oby Ezekwesili and Peter Obi are two well-known people who have pushed lawmakers to make the use of technology part of the future Electoral Act.
Lawmakers have also flagged loopholes in the 2023 elections despite reforms such as BVAS and the IREV results portal.
Separately, the rights group SERAP has pressed President Bola Tinubu to disclose details of the process for appointing a new INEC chairman when Yakubu’s term ends in November 2025, arguing that transparency would bolster confidence in the commission.
