Atiku Sends Message To INEC, NASS After Visit From European Union Delegation

Sunnex Egbu

3 hours ago

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned that only credible elections will ensure the emergence of leaders capable of uniting the country and driving economic prosperity.

In a post on Friday via his 𝕏 account, Atiku urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to collaborate with the National Assembly to strengthen the country’s electoral laws.

He condemned what he described as the electoral body’s lack of commitment to improving Nigeria’s electoral system.

The former Vice President disclosed that he met with a European Union delegation led by Barry Andrews, a member of the European Parliament and head of the 2023 EU Election Observation Mission to Nigeria, as well as the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot.

He stated that the meeting was a follow-up to recommendations made by the EU after the 2023 general elections.

He said: “Yesterday evening, I received a high-powered European Union delegation, including the Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E Gautier Mignot.

“The delegation led by Barry Andrews, a member of the European Parliament, who was also Head of the 2023 EU Election Observation Mission to Nigeria, is engaging in broad-based conversation on the future of Nigerian elections.

“This visit is a follow-up mission to see the level of implementation of a set of recommendations made by the team following the 2023 General elections.

“Expectations are high that the Independent National Electoral Commission will urgently work with the National Assembly to give citizens election laws that guarantee transparent and credible elections, where every vote counts.

“It is worrisome that two years down the line, we are yet to see indications that INEC is committed to an improved electoral process.

“Meanwhile, we shall continue to support efforts by CSOs, local and foreign Election Observation Missions (EOMs), including the EU-EOM, that will lead to genuine electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 General elections.

“We believe that only through credible elections shall we safeguard our democracy and recruit leaders that will ensure unity and economic prosperity of Nigeria.”