Atiku urges urgent electoral reforms as EU delegation visits Nigeria
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed concern over the slow pace of electoral reforms in Nigeria, two years after the 2023 general elections, warning that credible elections remain the only safeguard for democracy and national unity.
Atiku made the remarks on Thursday after receiving a high-powered delegation from the European Union (EU), led by Barry Andrews, a member of the European Parliament and Head of the 2023 EU Election Observation Mission to Nigeria. The EU Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Gautier Mignot, was also part of the delegation.
According to Atiku, the team is in Nigeria to engage in broad-based discussions on the future of the country’s elections and to review the level of implementation of recommendations made by the EU Election Observation Mission following the 2023 polls.
He stressed that expectations remain high for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Assembly to urgently work together to deliver election laws that will guarantee transparency, credibility, and ensure that “every vote counts.”
“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 said.
The former Vice President pledged continued support for the efforts of civil society groups, as well as local and international election observation missions, in pushing for genuine reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We believe that only through credible elections shall we safeguard our democracy and recruit leaders that will ensure unity and economic prosperity of Nigeria,” he added.
