INEC lauds EU’s partnership in Nigeria’s democracy as Ambassador departs

INEC lauds EU’s partnership in Nigeria’s democracy as Ambassador departs

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja 

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, has commended the European Union for its contributions to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, as the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi, departs after a three-year tenure.

Speaking during a farewell visit to the INEC Chairman in Abuja on Tuesday, Yakubu praised the EU’s efforts, saying, “We appreciate the European Union’s partnership in deepening Nigerian democracy. The EU has been a strong supporter of INEC, and we’re grateful for their collaboration.”

He added that the EU’s support has been instrumental in enhancing the capacity of INEC to deliver credible elections.

“In fact, very recently, the Electoral Commission in Ghana conducted an exercise for citizens who have come of age’ or those who have not registered for one reason or another in the past. In Ghana, they targeted registering 70,000 new voters nationwide. 

“However, in Edo state alone, we registered 119,000 new voters during the last continuous voter registration exercise. Additionally, 58,000 were registered in other states, making a total of 77,003. I’m proud to say that I worked closely with you, and our last meeting was at the Hilton, where we served as co-chairs of the steering committee of the EU-SDGN,” Yakubu remarked.

Isopi, who is leaving the country after the end of her tenure this Friday, expressed her gratitude to the commission and its chairman for the partnership and collaboration.

She said, “I’m proud of the partnership we’ve established here. We’ve gone a long way in supporting Nigerian democracy, and I remain convinced that the trajectory is the right one. Strengthening democracy in Nigeria means strengthening democracy worldwide.”

The EU Ambassador recalled her meetings with Yakubu and other stakeholders under the EU’s Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria program, which aimed to strengthen democracy and democratic governance in Nigeria. She thanked the commission for its open and frank discussions, even when there were disagreements.

Yakubu also thanked Isopi and her team for their support and promised to continue working closely with the EU delegation in Nigeria. He assured that the same spirit of national cooperation would continue to exist between the EU and INEC.

“We will continue to work closely with the team you are leaving behind and assure your successor that we will continue to work together,” Yakubu said. “We wish you well in your next mission.”