From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) has warned that the outcome of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria will affect the entire continent.
The regional body also expressed concern over Nigeria’s preparedness for the next year’s poll.
A delegation of ECOWAS Pre-Election Fact Finding Mission to Nigeria led by former Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, made the warning when they visited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters, Abuja.
Speaking for the delegation, Director, Political Affairs, ECOWAS Commission, Dr Remi Ajibewa, explained that they were in Nigeria on a fact-finding mission ahead of the 2023 general elections in line with ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol 2021, to observe elections in Nigeria.
Ajibewa further explained that Article 11, 12 and 13 of the protocol mandated the Commission to deploy an electoral fact-finding mission to every member state of ECOWAS that were about to conduct elections, especially presidential elections.
He also said that the visit was not novel as they previously did that during other previous elections in the country, including the 2019 general elections.
Ajibewa added that “ECOWAS look forward to successful and credible elections in West Africa countries, especially Nigeria in 2023 given the leadership role it played in the sub region.”
“We all know the importance Nigeria holds, given the fact that, as they used to say, if Nigeria sneezes, the whole of West Africa catches a cold and we don’t pray that will be the result. So, we are here to listen to you, to see the area of challenges that we might also report,” he appealed.
Responding, INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu assured the delegation that the 2023 general elections will be technology-driven to enhance its success.
“Let me restate the commitment of INEC that Nigeria’s free, fair and credible elections will be driven by technology. The 2023 general elections in Nigeria will be driven by technology not only as a matter of legal requirement but also as a matter of course, for us in the commission.
“So, I want to ensure the ECOWAS team that we are committed to delivering a credible election in the next four months and a few days, which will be Nigeria’s seventh successive elections, since the restoration of democracy in 1999,” he assured.
Yakubu also explained that in the demonstration of INEC openness and the ritual of receiving international observers, the commission had invited international organisations across the world to come and observe Nigeria’s 2023 general elections.
“ECOWAS has demonstrated that seriousness and commitment to ensuring that we get right electorally in this region in the next few weeks, I am sure many more organizations will come. Election Observation is an important part of ensuring transparency and credibility in elections.
“We have always benefited from the insight of election observation missions. For instance, you are here on fact-finding we will hear from you what we have found so far, which will help us in concluding our preparations for the election,” he said.