2027: Stop treating elections as war, do-or-die affair — David Mark

National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Senator David Mark, has warned political actors against turning elections into a do-or-die contest, saying the credibility of the 2027 general elections must be non-negotiable.

Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the International Republican Institute, IRI, on a pre-election assessment mission, Mark said Nigerians must be allowed to choose their leaders freely, without violence, intimidation, manipulation or the abuse of state institutions.

The warning came against the backdrop of the violence recorded during the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, where no fewer than 30 people were reportedly killed, with Mark saying such incidents had no place in a democratic contest.

“Elections should not be treated as war or a do-or-die affair. They should be a democratic process through which citizens freely choose their leaders and advance their aspirations for development and a better quality of life,” Mark said.

According to him, the ADC was particularly concerned about the abuse of the electoral process by governments in power and, increasingly, by non-state actors, stressing that the party wanted to contest elections in an environment where every vote counted and legitimate mandates were respected.

“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 welcomed IRI’s engagement with political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, saying the ADC was prepared to openly share its experiences and concerns as preparations for the 2027 polls gather pace.