Nigeriaโs general elections in 2023 would be watched by interested foreign organizations from all around the world, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
When he welcomed the delegation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Pre-Election Fact Finding Mission to Nigeria, INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu made the call.
At the commissionโs Abuja offices on Monday, the group was led by Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, a former chairman of the Electoral Commission of Ghana.
The INEC chairman revealed that inviting foreign observers was a ritualistic display of the commissionโs openness.
โElection observation is a crucial component in ensuring the credibility and transparency of elections. The knowledge gained from election observation missions has always been helpful to us.
โFor instance, since you are here to gather facts, we will hear from you about what you have discovered so far, which will aid us in wrapping up our election preparations.
And I eagerly anticipate any report that will be provided at the conclusion of the procedure in February or March so that we may have even more insider knowledge.
The chairman gave the ECOWAS assurance that Nigeriaโs general elections in 2023 would be computer-driven.
โLet me reiterate INEC Nigeriaโs commitment to transparent, credible, and free elections that are supported by technology.
The use of technology in the general election in Nigeria in 2023 will not only be mandated by law but also be a given for the commission.
This would be Nigeriaโs sixth straight election since the restoration of democracy in 1999, therefore I want to reassure the ECOWAS team that we are dedicated to delivering a credible election in the upcoming four months and a few days, Yakubu added.
Yakubu said ECOWAS was the first organization to arrive in Nigeria for the election and thanked it for its dedication to ensuring legitimate elections in Nigeria.
โECOWAS has shown that seriousness and dedication to making sure that we get the elections in this area properly, and Iโm sure many more organizations will come in the coming weeks.
Yakubu also emphasized the necessity of restoring democracy to all West African nations, particularly Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.
In accordance with the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol 2021 to observe elections in Nigeria, the delegation was in Nigeria to gather information prior to the countryโs general elections in 2023, according to Dr. Remi Ajibewa, who spoke on behalf of the group.
According to Ajibewa, the protocolโs Articles 11, 12, and 13 required the commission to send fact-finding electoral missions to all ECOWAS member states that were about to have elections, including the presidential election.
We are here Nigeria for this reason, and as part of that, we will first pay a visit to the ECOWAS Commission, which we have already done in order to inform the mission chief.
The Inspector-General of Police, various civic societies, and INEC will follow the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where we have been this morning. The main reason we typically act in this manner is that we consider INEC to be a friend, therefore those are some of the points weโve made and areas of conversation weโve also brought up with them.
โIn the course, weโll also travel to Nigeriaโs six geopolitical regions. Weโre going to the local election commissioners. Weโre going to the security organizations. Weโll pay the traditional and spiritual leaders a visit.
โWe will be speaking with members of the civil society throughout our visit to learn more about how well-prepared the stakeholders we are meeting are.
โBut in particular, considering that they play such a significant role, we wonโt overlook the political parties.
Then, he continued, โduring the course, weโll be meeting with the media, talking with the Bar Association, and the courts as well due to their involvement.โ
The delegationโs journey to Nigeria was not the first time, according to Ajibewa, Director of Political Affairs at the ECOWAS Commission, as it has occurred during other past elections in the nation, including the 2019 national elections.
He stated that given Nigeriaโs role as a leader in the subregion, ECOWAS looks forward to successful and credible elections in West African nations in 2023.
We all understand the significance that Nigeria has because, as they used to say, if Nigeria sneezes, all of West Africa becomes sick, and we donโt wish for that to happen.
Therefore, we are here to listen to you and to assess any difficulties that may need to be reported.
