Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has confirmed that he recently held a high-level meeting with a European Union (EU) delegation led by Barry Andrews, a Member of the European Parliament and the Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM) to Nigeria during the country’s 2023 general elections.
The meeting, which took place in Abuja, was part of the EU’s follow-up engagement on the implementation of recommendations it issued after observing Nigeria’s last national elections. The EU-EOM had deployed observers across Nigeria during the 2023 electoral process and released a detailed report highlighting critical areas for reform.
In a statement shared via his official Facebook page on Friday, Atiku said the EU delegation’s visit was focused on assessing the level of progress Nigeria has made in responding to the issues raised in that report, particularly regarding transparency, credibility, and inclusiveness in the electoral process.
“The meeting was part of an engagement regarding the future of Nigerian elections,” Atiku said. “It is a follow-up mission to assess the implementation status of the recommendations made by the EU Election Observation Mission after the 2023 General Elections.”
The 2023 general elections in Nigeria were marred by widespread allegations of irregularities, logistical failures, voter suppression, and technical glitches related to the electronic transmission of results—issues that were noted in the EU-EOM’s post-election assessment.
Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023 and a central figure in Nigeria’s opposition politics, expressed strong concern over what he described as the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) lack of demonstrable commitment to improving the electoral process.
“It is worrisome that two years down the line, we are yet to see indications that INEC is committed to an improved electoral process,” Atiku stated. “Expectations are high that the Commission will urgently work with the National Assembly to give citizens election laws that guarantee transparent and credible elections where every vote counts.”
He emphasized that electoral reform is a non-negotiable prerequisite for Nigeria’s democratic development and national unity. He called on the Nigerian government to act swiftly in reviewing existing electoral laws, enhancing the independence of INEC, and adopting measures that would restore public confidence in elections.
In a broader context, Atiku highlighted the importance of continued collaboration between Nigeria and international stakeholders like the EU, as well as local civil society organizations (CSOs), in promoting good governance and democratic accountability.
“We shall continue to support efforts by CSOs, local and foreign Election Observation Missions, including the EU-EOM, that will lead to genuine electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he said. “Only through credible elections can we safeguard our democracy and recruit leaders that will ensure the unity and economic prosperity of Nigeria.”
The meeting underscores the EU’s ongoing commitment to supporting democratic development across Africa, especially in key regional powers like Nigeria. For South African observers and policymakers, Nigeria’s electoral reform journey is closely watched, given both countries’ prominent roles in shaping Africa’s democratic norms and regional stability.
As Nigeria heads toward another general election cycle in 2027, the spotlight remains on whether meaningful reforms will be implemented to address the systemic flaws of the past and build a more credible electoral framework that reflects the will of the people.
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