By Sheriff Mahmud Ismail, Abuja – February 23, 2023
The Head of the ECOWAS Elections Observer Mission (EOM) to Nigeria, Sierra Leone’s former President Ernest Bai Koroma, along with his deputy, Amb. Baba Kamara, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace & Security, Amb. Dr Abdel- Fatau Musah, had a detailed briefing Wednesday, by the Mission’s Long Term Observers. (LTO). The LTOs highlighted the issues of cash unavailability, acute fuel shortage and insecurity as key challenges that could negatively impact the Saturday polls.
The HoM and delegation also interacted with the Commonwealth Secretary General, The Right Honourable Patricia Scotland QC, and her assistant, Luis Francheschi. Former President Koroma and his delegation further held discussions with the opposition Labour Party Chairman Julius Abure Esq, & his Vice Presidential candidate, Datti Baba Ahmed; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu; and a delegation from the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions.
Stakeholders in all of these meetings acknowledged that peaceful and credible elections in Nigeria are imperative to the peace, security and growth of democracy in West Africa and beyond.
In the words of President Koroma, Nigeria is the largest and most powerful country in the region. Peaceful, free, inclusive and credible elections in Nigeria should set a good example for other countries in the region who are preparing for elections to follow.”
Regarding the three key challenges mentioned by the stakeholders, the Minister of Foreign Affairs clarified that the agencies concerns are earnestly dealing with those challenges. At the same time, the Chief Electoral Commissioner assured all the Head of Missions that the elections will go on as planned and that the Commission is prepared to conduct the polls on Saturday.
“Our sub-region is looking forward to a peaceful process and an outcome that will reflecting the will of the electorates, to the credit of Nigeria,” said President. Koroma.
