EU Advocates Improved Democracy in West Africa

*INEC boss urges political parties on internal democracy

The European Union (EU) has reiterated its commitment to supporting democratic governance across West Africa.
The EU stressed that a lot still needed to be done to improve democratic process in Nigeria.

A statement by the Commission and signed by the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi, stated this in Abuja during the inaugural Steering Committee meeting of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Programme.

She said, “The last election, overall, the conduct and quality of the elections did not meet the standards and expectations set by the commission itself.

“I think that this is a conclusion in line with the conclusion of the main domestic and international observation missions. I think this provides an agreed basis, a common ground on which we can build our future work together.

“At the European Union, we look forward to seeing how these reflections can be taken forward. As partners, we are ready to engage not only with all of you but also with relevant stakeholders to take that work forward.”

Ambassador Isopi explained that the EU considered supporting democracy at home and outside its borders, and working with partners to strengthen democracy worldwide.

“We want to continue to support and invest in Nigeria; to invest in the largest democracy on the continent because this is also a message about the importance and the vitality of democracy in the region of West Africa where democracy is obviously backsliding,” she said.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, called for more engagement with political parties to improve their internal democracy and the process of electing and nominating candidates for elections.

He said, “Election is not just about what INEC does, but election is a multi-stakeholder responsibility. There are responsibilities that other people can discharge and perform."