ADC Chairman David Mark Warns Against 2027 Election Manipulation

Senator David Mark, the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), warned Wednesday that the credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 general Elections must be “non-negotiable,” urging authorities to prevent the misuse of state institutions, intimidation, and violence that could undermine the vote.

Speaking in Abuja during a meeting with a delegation from the International Republican Institute (IRI), which is conducting a pre-election assessment mission, Mark, a former Senate President, said the integrity of the electoral process would determine whether Nigerians trust the outcome. “For us in the ADC, the credibility of the 2027 elections must be non-negotiable. We expect the electoral process to be transparent, inclusive, peaceful and free from manipulation, intimidation and the abuse of state institutions,” he said.

Mark expressed concern over what he described as recurring abuse of the electoral process by incumbent governments and non-state actors, warning that such practices erode democratic governance and public confidence. He pointed to the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, where reports indicated no fewer than 30 people were killed, calling the violence “reprehensible and condemnable.” “Elections should not be treated as war or a do-or-die affair. There should be a democratic process through which citizens freely choose their leaders and advance their aspirations for development and a better quality of life,” he said.

The ADC chairman pledged his party’s commitment to a secure voting environment where every ballot counts and mandates freely given are respected. His remarks come as political parties and stakeholders intensify preparations for the 2027 polls, with electoral violence, institutional neutrality, and credibility dominating early discussions.

Earlier, the IRI delegation said its visit aimed to assess Nigeria’s level of preparedness and engage key stakeholders on issues that could affect the conduct of the elections. Jenai Cox, IRI’s African Regional Director, described the mission as a pre-election assessment to evaluate preparations for the 2027 polls.

As the 2027 election cycle approaches, Mark’s warning underscores the high stakes for Nigeria’s democratic trajectory, with both domestic actors and international observers signaling that the credibility of the process will be closely watched.