The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), has castigated the Federal Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over what it described as a deliberate attempt to trivialise and rubbish a well thought out report of the European Union Electoral Report.
TMG particularly said that it was disheartening to note that the government and INEC are disregarding the recommendations from the European Union who they invited to observe the elections in the country.
This was as other civil society organisations (CSOs) and some local observers involved in election monitoring in Nigeria equally expressed serious reservations over the position of the Federal Government and INEC with regards to the EU Election report, stressing that it was a known fact that there were deficiencies in the electoral process that were key.
Chairman of the TMG, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani said in a statement that the recommendations by the European Union align with the views of many civil society groups and local observers on the 2023 general elections.
Musa specifically said that it was imperative that the Federal Government and the Electoral Commission should take the Report more seriously by considering and reviewing the recommendations contained therein and work towards addressing the gaps in the electoral processes in order to make the nation’s electoral system more transparent, accountable and participatory as well as restore confidence in the process.
The TMG also stressed the importance of genuine efforts by the federal government to guarantee transparent and accountable, free and fair elections in the country, stressing that only through such measures can Nigerians truly consolidate and attain democracy and good governance in the country.
Musa said; “We urge President Bola Tinubu to take courage and admit to the shortcomings with the electoral process which is evident by the violence and several election petitions going on in the country and the reduction of Nigerians participation in the elections.
“President Tinubu should emulate late President Umar Musa Yar’Adua, who admitted that there were gaps in his election and committed to reform the electoral system. Therefore, TMG urges president Tinubu to ensure effective reform.
“The EU witnessed the election process and their report should not be ignored,” it said.
Furthermore, TMG noted that the government and INEC’s dismissal of local election observers and the EU Election Report might convey an erroneous message and warned that electoral misconduct should never be normalized.
It therefore urged the government and INEC to take steps to tackle electoral corruption and impunity, stressing that such actions would significantly enhance the electoral system’s integrity and restore public trust.
It further stated; “The EU Electoral Report and local elections observers report should not be dismissed but, should be looked into, and the necessary action should be taken to ensure free, fair, transparent and credible elections in Nigeria”.
