The Director General of Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, on Tuesday received a European Union delegation at the PCC headquarters in Abuja.
The Head of the EU delegation, Naret Hricka, disclosed that they visited the campaign office as part of their engagements with political parties and stakeholders preparatory to the deployment of an election observer mission for the 2023 general elections.
Hricka told Lalong that the EU Election Observer Mission is primarily going to be in the country to observe the conduct of the elections without any form of interference.
She also assured the DG that the team would operate according to the guidelines of INEC and the laws of Nigeria in the spirit of partnership for sustaining democracy in the country and globally.
While receiving the team, the Plateau State governor said the APC as a party was open to receiving and working with all foreign and domestic observers who are considered key partners in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
This is even as he described APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as a democrat who plays by the rules and believes that politics is about the people whose will and choices must be respected.
He said, “Together with his running mate Senator Kashim Shettima, the APC Presidential Candidate Bola Tinubu has continued to reach out to the electorate across the nation with the message of hope and restoration while shunning every act and utterance that negates the fundamental principles of democracy.
The APC-led administration under President Muhammadu Buhari has assured time and again that elections will be free, fair and credible as part of its legacy to deepening democracy and building confidence among the people.”
The campaign council DG highlighted the passage of the Electoral Act and its signing by President Muhammadu Buhari as one of the key actions that validate his commitment to ensuring democratic growth and good governance.
Lalong also told the team that the APC has consistently abided by the outcome of elections even when it loses to other parties.
In attendance at the meeting were PCC Deputy Director of Operations, Adams Oshiomhole; former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; APC’s only female presidential aspirant, Uju Chinenye; PCC Secretary, Abiodun Faleke and Chief of Staff to the DG, Yakubu Dati.
The European Union Delegation was led by Naret Hricka, Media expert, Hannah Roberts, Political and Electronics Experts, Frederik Sohumann, Wette Bakken and Osaro Odemwingie.