The European Union Election Observation Mission(EU EOM) to Nigeria says it will constantly review the security mechanisms for the safety of the 2019 general elections observers.
EO EOM said this on the backdrop of Governor Nasir El Rufai warning against alleged foreign intervention in the Justice Walter Onnoghen matter as expressed by the US, EU, and the UK during an interview on NTA Tuesday Live.
El Rufai threatened that, “those that are calling for anyone to come and intervene in Nigeria, we are waiting for the person that would come and intervene, they would go back in body bags. We are trying to run our country as decently as possible.
Sarah Fradgley, EU EOM Spokesperson in a statement in Abuja noted that, “while the security of EU observers is of paramount importance, and will remain under constant review, EU observers will continue their work across the country in the run-up to – and beyond – the 16 February elections.
“We are aware of the comments by the Governor of Kaduna about non-interference by foreigners during a talk show on the elections Tuesday 5 February.
The EU only deploys an election observation mission when it is invited to do so by the authorities of a country. The EU has been invited to observe all of the general elections in Nigeria since 1999. Thus this is the sixth time the EU is observing elections in Nigeria.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission invited the EU to deploy an observation mission for the 2019 general elections. EU election observation missions give commentary and analysis, and make recommendations about the electoral process. EU election observation missions are impartial, do not interfere in the electoral process, and operate according to a strict code of conduct.
“The mission looks at all aspects of the election, including the campaign tone, the transparency of the election administration, the neutrality of security forces, and the independence of the judiciary.”
James Kwen, Abuja
