By Chibuike Nkwede
The Independent National Electoral Commission has called on political actors to embrace mediation and other alternative dispute resolution mechanisms as a preferred means of settling electoral disagreements ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The appeal was made on Thursday by Sulayma Ibrahim, Director of Litigation and Prosecution at INEC, during the ‘Mediation Without Borders’ summit organised by the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators in Abuja. He represented the Commission’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, at the event.
Addressing participants, Ibrahim noted that electoral processes are often accompanied by disputes ranging from allegations of fraud and procedural irregularities to claims of bias and contested outcomes. He warned that if such disputes are not properly managed, they could escalate into political instability, violence, and, in extreme cases, widespread crises.
He emphasised that mediation offers a practical and effective approach to de-escalating tensions, often delivering quicker and more sustainable outcomes than conventional court processes and election tribunals.
According to him, the Commission has recorded growing success with alternative dispute resolution methods, particularly mediation, revealing that more than twenty cases have been handled through INEC’s ADR directorate.
He further explained that the directorate has now been strengthened into a full division under the litigation and prosecution department, enhancing its capacity to resolve disputes promptly and efficiently.
Ibrahim stressed that while Nigeria’s electoral dispute resolution framework is grounded in the Constitution, political parties and stakeholders can still achieve meaningful outcomes through mediation without resorting to prolonged legal battles.
He cited the resolution of the leadership dispute between the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Labour Party as a notable example, noting that the intervention helped stabilise the party and strengthen its internal administration.
Drawing from continental experience, he also referenced the role of mediation in resolving the 2007–2008 post-election crisis in Kenya, where the intervention of former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan led to a power-sharing agreement between Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga, restoring political order after a period of intense violence.
INEC maintained that such examples highlight the importance of mediation in safeguarding democratic institutions, reducing electoral tensions, and preventing large-scale human and political crises as the country prepares for the 2027 elections.