The Peoples Democratic Party has urged the European Union Election Observation Mission to develop special interest in the upcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun as well as the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.
PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, made the call when he received the EU Election Observation Follow-up Mission, led by the Head of EU Observation Mission, Maria Arena, at the PDP headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
Ayu who commended the mission on its recommendations on 2019 General Elections, said the recommendations were not only useful to the Independent National Electoral Commission but also assisted in deepening Nigeria’s democracy.
“I think your observation across the country should be based on helping not only INEC but also the security services to do their Job which constitutional they have been provided to do.
“It is wrong for agencies which are supposed to be independent to help see credible elections, to subvert the electoral process.
“So we have serious apprehensions particularly in those areas where details will be made available.
“I will also want more observers provided to go around because it is a big country.
“We have two very important state elections for governorship in the southwestern part of the country in Ekiti and Osun. One will take place in June and the other one will take place in July.
“We urge you to take special interest in those elections because they are very important elections.
“I believe that the way you did in 2019, you will be able to put down your observations which we make available to INEC to help them improve on their performance, so that when we come to 2023 some of the lapses will be reduced.
“ So, we think your visit is very much welcomed we have no problem with it. We believe it will help not just Nigerians but the who process of democracy in the country,” Ayu said.
(NAN)
