The International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) have
deployed a joint international election observation mission (IEOM) to Nigeria ahead of the
Saturday Presidential and National Assembly election.
The 40-member delegation, comprised of political and civic leaders, elections experts, and
regional specialists from 20 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America,
received accreditation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to observe
the February 25 elections.
The delegation is led by former President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr. Joyce Banda who will be
joined by Ambassador Mark Green, President and CEO of the Woodrow Wilson International
Center for Scholars; Ambassador Johnnie Carson, former Assistant Secretary of State for the
Bureau of African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.
Others are IRI Board Member Constance Berry Newman, Nonresident Senior Fellow at the
Atlantic Council’s Africa Center; NDI Board Member Stacey Abrams, American political leader,
lawyer, and voting rights activist; and IRI Board Member Dana White, foreign policy and
communications advisor.
NDI President, Ambassador Derek Mitchell, and IRI President, Dr. Daniel Twining, will also
participate in the mission.
IRI and NDI have deployed international election observation missions to every general election
in Nigeria since its 1999 transition from military to civilian democratic rule.
According to the delegation’s leader, Banda their mission is in show of support for, and
solidarity with Nigerian democrats.
“These elections are of tremendous significance for the country and the region as a whole. I
encourage all voters to participate and make their voices heard through the ballot box."
Ambassador Mitchell said the joint deployment is "a testament to the continuous commitment
of our organizations to Nigeria’s democracy.
“We are honored to support the Nigerian people in this pivotal election, and contribute to the
continued strengthening of their country’s electoral processes and democratic institutions.”
“We celebrate the commitment of the Nigerian people to making their voices heard through the
democratic political process,” said IRI President Twining.
“We are here in support of credible, free and fair elections and urge all electoral stakeholders to
remain peaceful throughout the election process.”
The mission will conduct a substantive and detailed analysis of the process in various areas,
including election administration, citizen participation, gender and inclusion, election security,
legal framework, information environment, and political parties and campaigning.
On Election Day, IRI/NDI will visit polling stations in 20 states across all six geopolitical regions of
Nigeria to observe the various aspects of the elections and the administration of the poll,
including the opening, voting, tabulation, transmission and publication of results.
The joint IEOM follows two joint pre-election assessment missions conducted in July and
December of 2022. Those missions made recommendations on actions that could enhance the
credibility of the upcoming elections.
The delegation will conduct its activities in accordance with the laws of Nigeria and the
Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, which was adopted by the
United Nations in 2005. The delegation’s work is funded by the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID).