The Nigerian government has requested the assistance of the European Union (EU) in strengthening its democratic practices, particularly regarding electoral processes.
George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, made this appeal during a meeting with a delegation from the European Union Election Observation Mission, led by Chief Observer Barry Andrews.
According to a statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Akume expressed gratitude to the EU Observation Mission for its participation in the 2023 General Election throughout the country.
He highlighted the significance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, which played a transformative role during the election.
Akume acknowledged the progress made in the recent general elections and urged the EU to continue supporting these advancements in order to promote democratic principles in Nigeria.
Barry Andrews, the Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission, explained that their visit aimed to present the final report on the 2023 General Election, which they monitored since their deployment to Nigeria.
The report includes six priority recommendations relating to constitutional, legislative, and administrative matters. Additionally, Andrews mentioned that the EU EOM plans to conduct a follow-up mission in two years to engage with Nigerian authorities regarding the implementation of their recommendations.
Samuela Isopi, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States, also expressed the EU’s support for Nigeria’s return to democracy.
Isopi highlighted the ongoing collaboration between the EU, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and other key stakeholders to strengthen democracy.
Furthermore, he affirmed the EU’s commitment to sustaining its support for Nigeria’s electoral processes and investing in other vital sectors of the nation’s economy.