The rejecting of the European Union’s assessment on the 2023 elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Federal Government has been termed as depressing by the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG).
The EU had, in its report presented on June 27, said the 2023 election exposed enduring systemic weaknesses and therefore signalled a need for further legal and operational reforms to enhance transparency, inclusiveness and accountability.
However, the Federal Government disputed the report on Sunday, calling the EU Electoral Observer Mission’s findings “jaundiced.”
Auwal Rasfanjani, Chairman of the TMG, said in a statement on Monday that local observers and civil society organisations working on election monitoring and democracy had highlighted similar concerns about flaws in Nigeria’s electoral process.
“The recommendations by the European Union align with the views of many civil society groups and local observers. It is imperative that the government and INEC review those recommendations and work towards addressing the gaps in the electoral processes in order to make our electoral system more transparent, accountable and participatory to restore confidence in the process,” he said.
Rafsanjani also emphasised that it is only when the government genuinely ensures that free and fair elections hold that democracy and good governance can be consolidated and achieved in Nigeria.
“We urge President Bola Tinubu to take courage and admit to the shortcomings with the electoral process which is evident by the violence and several election petitions going on in the country and the reduction of Nigerian’s participation in the elections, he should emulate late President Umar Musa Yar’Adua who admitted that there were gaps in his election and committed to reform the electoral system. Therefore, TMG urges president Tinubu to ensure effective reform.
“The EU witnessed the election process and their report should not be ignored. It is disheartening to see that the government and INEC are disregarding the recommendations from the European Union who they invited to observe the elections.”
He also noted that the government and INEC may be sending the wrong message by disregarding both local election observers and the EU Election Report.
He said electoral misconduct should not be normalised, urging the government and INEC to work towards addressing electoral corruption and impunity.
“The EU Electoral Report and local elections observers report should not be dismissed, but rather, it should be looked into, and the necessary action should be taken to ensure free, fair, transparent and credible elections in Nigeria,” Rafsanjani added.