Former National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Peter Ameh, has welcomed the United States' expressed intention to monitor Nigeria's 2027 general elections, describing it as a positive development that could strengthen the country's democratic process if backed by sustained and meaningful action.
Ameh stressed that the success of any international election monitoring mission would depend on its commitment to observing not only the conduct of voting on election day but also the entire electoral process leading up to the polls. According to him, monitoring efforts must focus on the pre-election environment, where concerns over political freedoms and the ability of opposition parties to operate without intimidation or interference have become increasingly significant.
He expressed concern over what he described as reported oppressive actions by the executive branch and its proxies, arguing that such actions could undermine the credibility of the electoral process. He warned that election observation missions that ignore these underlying issues risk legitimizing flawed democratic processes.
The former IPAC chairman maintained that Nigeria's democracy can only thrive through peaceful, free, fair, and transparent elections that genuinely reflect the will of the electorate.
While emphasizing that safeguarding democracy remains the responsibility of Nigerians, he noted that international partners have an important role in promoting transparency, discouraging anti-democratic practices, and supporting credible electoral processes without undermining Nigeria's sovereignty.
Ameh further stated that the United States, given its global influence, has the capacity to contribute meaningfully to credible elections if it remains consistent and sincere in its engagement.
He argued that concerns over restrictions on opposition political activities make it imperative for the U.S. and other international partners to begin engaging Nigerian stakeholders well ahead of the 2027 elections.
He called on the international community to consistently raise concerns where necessary, encourage adherence to democratic norms, and apply appropriate diplomatic pressure to ensure a level playing field for all political actors. According to him, decisions and actions taken in the months and years preceding the elections will significantly influence the credibility of the polls.
Ameh concluded that credible elections in Nigeria are vital not only for the country's democratic development but also for regional stability and the advancement of democratic governance across Africa.
He urged the United States to move beyond public declarations and commit to a robust, sustained, and principled engagement that safeguards the integrity of Nigeria's electoral process throughout the entire election cycle.
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