The European Union has reiterated its dedication to supporting democratic governance in Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
It famous that whereas the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee was capable of ship the 2023 normal elections, quite a bit nonetheless wanted to be accomplished to enhance Nigeria’s electoral course of.
In keeping with an announcement launched by the Fee, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi, mentioned this in Abuja throughout the inaugural Steering Committee assembly of the European Union Help to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Programme.
Whereas urging stakeholders to extend efforts in direction of strengthening democratic governance within the nation, she lauded the important and important help offered by the EU-SDGN cohort throughout the elections.
She mentioned, “I believe there are necessary classes learnt from the elections final 12 months. If I’m not mistaken, INEC’s personal evaluation concluded by saying that the elections, let me simply quote, ‘Total, the conduct and high quality of the elections didn’t meet requirements and expectations set by the fee itself.’
“I believe that this can be a conclusion in keeping with the conclusion of the primary home and worldwide statement missions. I believe this gives an agreed foundation, a standard floor on which we will construct our future work collectively.
“On the European Union, we sit up for seeing how these reflections may be taken ahead. As companions, we’re prepared to have interaction not solely with all of you but in addition with related stakeholders to take that work ahead.”
Ambassador Isopi defined that the EU thought-about supporting democracy at house and out of doors its borders, and dealing with companions to strengthen democracy worldwide.
“We wish to proceed to help and put money into Nigeria; to put money into the most important democracy on the continent as a result of that is additionally a message in regards to the significance and the vitality of democracy within the area of West Africa the place democracy is clearly backsliding,” she mentioned.
In his remarks, the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, expressed worries regarding the excessive variety of court docket circumstances difficult the conduct of primaries by political events.
He revealed that whereas many politicians file their circumstances in court docket, about 70 to 80 per cent of them find yourself being withdrawn both earlier than the graduation of trial or quickly thereafter.
This act, he harassed, wastes the time and assets of the fee, as it could usually have interaction and pay legal professionals for the circumstances.
Yakubu, subsequently, known as for extra engagement with political events to enhance their inside democracy and the method of electing and nominating candidates for elections.
He mentioned, “Election is not only about what INEC does, however election is a multi-stakeholder duty. There are the obligations that different individuals discharge and carry out.
“From the info out there within the fee, we have now noticed that there have been extra circumstances difficult the conduct of primaries by political events than circumstances difficult the conduct of the election by INEC.
“As an example, almost about post-election circumstances in 2023, we had over 1,300 circumstances, however on the finish of the day, solely 38 circumstances have been upheld by the court docket. So, we carried out 38 court-ordered rerun elections. However year-in-year-out, we see 70 or 80 per cent of them voluntarily withdrawn by the petitioners.
“Is there a means we will have a dialog with the political events to enhance inside democracy and the method of electing and nominating candidates for elections? They’re proper in a democracy to go to court docket, however is there a means we will have a dialog with them in order that we will enhance on that facet?”
The Programme Steering Committee is co-chaired by the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS and the Chairman of INEC, with membership consisting of representatives of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and the EU-SDGN II beneficiaries.
This Committee gives high-level coverage help and oversight of the programme and ensures that the programme stays aligned and compliant with the EU and beneficiaries’ necessities and desires.
