2027: IRI Begins Stakeholders’ Assessment As Wike-Backed PDP Assures Readiness For Poll

The Nyesom Wike-backed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday received a delegation of the International Republican Institute (IRI) as part of the institute’s Pre-Election Assessment Mission ahead of the 2027 general election.

The delegation, led by Jendayi Frazier, former United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs and former US Ambassador to South Africa, is in Nigeria to engage political parties and other stakeholders on the political environment and preparations for the 2027 elections.

Other members of the delegation include IRI President, Dr Daniel Twining; IRI African Regional Director, Jenai Cox; and IRI West African Regional Program Director, Sentell Barnes.

Speaking during the engagement, IRI African Regional Director, Jenai Cox, said the mission was aimed at gaining a better understanding of the pre-election environment and preparations for the forthcoming general election.

“Our pre-election assessment mission delegation is here to learn more from a variety of stakeholders about the pre-election period and preparations ahead of the general election,” Cox said.

She said the team would assess preparations for the election, activities of political parties and issues that stakeholders believe should be monitored as the country moves closer to the polls.

According to her, the delegation would engage a variety of stakeholders to obtain different perspectives on the political environment and the campaigns ahead of the election.

“The mission will have an opportunity to share recommendations towards the end of the week with stakeholders, where we will have a preliminary statement available,” Cox said.

She added that the team was looking forward to hearing from stakeholders on the political environment and how they were preparing for the election.

Receiving the delegation, PDP National Chairman, Abdulraman Muhammed, welcomed the IRI team to the party’s national headquarters, Wadata House, Abuja.

Muhammed noted that the delegation had also been in Osun State to observe the governorship election held on Saturday.

He said the outcome of the election showed that voters in the state turned out in large numbers to exercise their democratic rights and choose their preferred candidate.

The PDP chairman said the party remained committed to democratic principles and the aspirations of Nigerians across the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and the 774 local government areas.

He said the party would use the engagement to brief the IRI delegation on its preparations and plans for the 2027 general election.

“We are Peoples Democratic Party, and we belong to the people of Nigeria, and our yearning and aspiration is to give responsibility to the electorate,” Muhammed said.

He assured the delegation that the PDP was fully prepared for the forthcoming general election.

“But I want to assure you that the PDP is fully ready for the election,” he said.

The IRI mission is expected to continue consultations with political parties and other stakeholders before presenting its preliminary observations and recommendations on Nigeria’s electoral environment ahead of the 2027 general election.