Protesters have stormed the European Union secretariat in Abuja to express their discontent with the EU’s report on Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the protesters are organised under the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations and Political Parties for Good Governance.
The group, consisting of over a hundred demonstrators, commenced their march from the National Hospital and proceeded to the EU office. Displaying banners that conveyed messages such as “Nigerians reject EU election observer report,” “Don’t trigger violence in Nigeria,” and “We say No to manipulated report,” their voices echoed with the resounding campaign anthem of President Bola Tinubu, “On your mandate.”
Amidst their determined chants, the coalition demanded an audience with the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Samuela Isopi, and Deputy Head of the EU to Nigeria, Alexandre Borges-Gomes.
This newspaper learnt that the presence of the protesters triggered a security response, with armed security operatives forming barricades around the perimeter.
Recall that the European Union Election Observation Mission released its report on Nigeria’s presidential poll on February 25. The report has since ignited debates across the country.
During the presentation of the preliminary findings by Chief Observer Barry Andrews, the EU-EOM concluded that while the elections were conducted as scheduled, transparency was lacking. The report highlighted noticeable irregularities and operational failures that eroded trust in the electoral process.
Reacting to the report, the coordinator of the coalition, Dr. Ene Ogbole, strongly criticised the EU report, alleging it was a deliberate attempt to sow chaos in the country.
Speaking to reporters at the entrance of the EU secretariat, the former coordinator of the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council emphasised that every election worldwide faces its unique challenges. Ogbole remarked, “The election that produced President Bola Tinubu was one of the most transparent in the history of Nigeria.”
Expressing surprise at the EU report’s assertions, she continued, “We were therefore taken aback when the media was flooded with the EU report carefully and specifically stating that the election was fraudulent and fell short of requirements. I don’t know where that is coming from. If it refers to the election we all participated in and fought for vigorously as patriots, something fishy is going on.”
Ogbole also questioned the EU’s decision to present its report to the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, emphasising that no serious government or institution would draw conclusions based on a presidential election conducted in less than 1,000 polling units when there are over 176,000 units across the country.
“The EU should know its limits. Why would they take this election report to the tribunal? They have their own procedures in their own countries. But when they come to Nigeria, they act outside of protocol. They must learn to adhere to protocols and respect our rule of law.”
She added, “It’s evident that the European Union’s report is capable of inciting national problems, chaos, and jeopardising Nigeria’s security and sovereignty. We understand the role they played, but there comes a time when we must draw the line.”
Echoing Ogbole’s sentiments, another member of the coalition, Danjuma Mohammed, believed that the EU election report was orchestrated by those who oppose Nigeria’s democracy. He urged Nigerians to reject it.
While acknowledging that it is within the purview of election observers to report what they observe, Mohammed argued that the EU team’s conclusion was biased.
“The European Union’s assertion of a fraudulent election is baseless, and we believe it was orchestrated by those who oppose Nigeria’s democracy. We implore the media and well-meaning Nigerians to defend our democracy. That report is a threat to our democracy and should be completely rejected, especially at a time when we are grappling with fundamental issues of insecurity,” he said.
