October 09, (THEWILL) – The Minister, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has faulted the European Union (EU) over its report on the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.
THEWILL recalls that the European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM) had in its final report on the 2023 general election, presented by its chief observer, Barry Andrews, on Tuesday, June 27, said the 2023 election lacked transparency, was fraudulent, and exposed enduring systemic weaknesses.
Speaking on Monday, when the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi, paid him a visit in his office, Wike said the EU report did not reflect the true position of the last election, saying it created a wrong impression on the minds of the electorate, especially in Rivers State.
The Minister said the EU was supposed to serve as an observer during the last elections and not to present a report that would not give the true picture of Nigerian democracy.
“I did not agree with the European Union over the last report on the elections in Nigeria. They are to observe. Nigerian laws can not be the same as EU laws because they have different environments.
“In Rivers State, the EU’s report was different from what transpired there. How can people who believe in democracy and practice it be portrayed as people who do not understand democracy?
“Our concern should be how to make the economy grow better. We have to cooperate and agree on specific areas of development in the Federal Capital Territory and the entire country. Foreign partners should be concerned with strategic development irrespective of the areas,” he said.
In his response, Ambassador Isopi said the report was put together by independent observers and has nothing to do with her operations.
She pledged the Union’s commitment to work with the Minister to boost development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and beyond.
