EU Condemns Recent Violence Ahead Of The General Elections

The Violence in the run-up to election day has been denounced by the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Nigeria 2023.

The EU EOM encouraged authorities to hold those involved accountable in a statement released on Friday in which it strongly denounced the most recent acts of serious and coordinated acts of violence, particularly the recent assassination.

The Labour Party (LP) candidate for the Enugu East Senatorial District and his personal assistant, Chief Oyibo Chukwu, were both assassinated in Enugu on Friday.

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The EU EOM stated that it has been monitoring the developments leading up to the general elections on February 25, including the just concluded campaigns, the behaviour of political parties and candidates, as well as other stakeholders.

“The EU EOM will continue to observe the electoral process, including the transparency of the election administration, the impartiality of security agencies, and the independence of the judiciary,” it said.

The EU EOM Chief Observer, Barry Andrews, urged all electoral stakeholders to conduct themselves on election day and in the days that follow when ballots are counted and tabulated, and results are released, in a way that reflects the spirit of the Peace Agreement reached on February 22.

“Furthermore, we urge security agencies to fulfil their responsibilities and ensure an enabling environment for peaceful elections.

“Any concerns about the conduct of the elections or its outcome should be channelled through designated election tribunals and courts as provided for in the laws of Nigeria,” the statement noted.

The European Union dispatched the EU Election Observation Mission in response to a request from the Independent National Electoral Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has promised the nation that he will deliver a free and fair election as he leaves office. With the naira redesign, weekly withdrawal limits and military personnel dispatched around the nation, the president has shown that he is serious about his promise and is willing to deliver.