INEC hosts ECOWAS delegation, reaffirms commitment to electoral reforms
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday received a high-level delegation from the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) in Abuja.
The visit was part of a post-election follow-up and needs assessment mission.
It focused on how Nigeria is implementing recommendations from the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission (EOM) after the 2023 general elections.
Leading the team was Davidetta Browne-Lansanah, chairperson of Liberia’s National Elections Commission.
She was joined by Bossman Asare, deputy chairman of Ghana’s Electoral Commission; Serigne Mamadou Ka of ECOWAS; and experts from GIZ, EISA, and International IDEA.
Welcoming the delegation, INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu described the mission as vital to democratic growth in West Africa.
He said Nigeria has also participated in similar peer reviews, including a recent mission to The Gambia in April.
Yakubu noted that ECOWAS made 37 recommendations after Nigeria’s 2023 elections—13 directed at INEC and 24 to other stakeholders.
“The Commission has initiated administrative actions on all 13 recommendations directed at us,” he said.
“While legislative changes awaited from the National Assembly are equally critical to advancing necessary reforms.”
He added that INEC’s 142-point electoral reform proposal—developed through wide consultations—is available on the Commission’s website.
Yakubu also thanked ECOWAS for deploying both short- and long-term observers during the elections.
He appreciated development partners like GIZ, EISA, and IDEA for their technical support.
Responding, Browne-Lansanah commended INEC’s openness and commitment to reform.
“We came to assess how Nigeria has implemented prior recommendations and to learn from your experience,” she said.
“The challenges you faced are shared by many institutions in our region, making lessons learned here genuinely beneficial for all.”
She praised INEC for helping Liberia develop its electoral systems.
“Thanks to Nigeria’s intervention, we now have an ICT room in Liberia,” she said.
“During critical moments, ECONEC and Nigeria responded decisively, exemplifying solidarity and leadership.”
She also congratulated Prof Yakubu and his team for their “unwavering commitment to democratic integrity and electoral excellence.”
“We are here to learn from your insights and to enhance our own electoral systems accordingly,” she added.
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