From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the European Union (EU) has deployed Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Nigeria.
The EU Delegation to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in a statement made available to Daily Sun in Abuja, said in response to the invitation by the Independent National Electoral Commission, the EU decided to deploy an election observation mission to observe the general elections scheduled for 25 February and 11 March 2023.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, subsequently appointed Barry Andrews, a Member of the European Parliament, as Chief Observer for the EOM to Nigeria.
The EU recalled that it previously deployed Election Observation Missions to Nigeria for the 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019 elections.
Following the deployment, Borrell said: “These elections will be crucial for the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria, and for the stability of the region. This is the sixth time that the EU deploys an election observation mission to Nigeria, reflecting our commitment to work together to consolidate democracy in thuntry.
“The elections are set to be competitive and will take place in a challenging security context. It is our hope that Nigerians will be able to cast their vote in a peaceful environment and that any challenges or disputes will be solved through dialogue or through available legal remedies.”
Andrews also said: “I am very pleased to have been entrusted with the responsibility for leading this EU Election Observation Mission. The mission is taking place during a period of time when democracy around the globe is in decline.
“The forthcoming General Elections are therefore not only a key moment in Nigeria’s democratic development, but also important to the future of democracy in West Africa and the continent at large. I am looking forward to meeting with electoral stakeholders that are playing important roles in the ongoing electoral process.”
