PDP and Labour Party condemn presidency for rejecting EU's criticism of elections

NIGERIA'S opposition parties have lampooned the presidency for rejecting the European Union's (EU) final report on the February 25 presidential elections which described them as flawed and lacking in transparency.

In its report on the recent Nigerian elections, the EU Observer Mission faulted the polls owing to enduring systemic weaknesses. However, Nigeria's presidency  has refused to accept this characterisation of the elections, describing the report by the EU observers as a poorly done desk job.

However, the main opposition parties the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party, who are challenging the election results in court, have criticised the presidency for taking this stance. Their presidential candidates Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Governor Peter Obi, both agree with the EU that the polls were not credible.

Barry Andrews, the chief observer of the EU  Election Observation Mission, noted that the election exposed enduring systemic weaknesses and therefore signalled the need for further legal and operational reforms to enhance transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability. He said the shortcomings in the law and electoral administration hindered the conduct of well-run and inclusive elections and damaged trust in the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec).

It then offered 23 recommendations for consideration by the Nigerian government that would improve future elections. Mr Andrews added: “We are particularly concerned about the need for reform in six areas which we have identified as priority recommendations and we believe, if implemented, could contribute to improvements for the conduct of elections.”

These six priority recommendations highlighted the need to remove ambiguities in the law, establish a publicly accountable selection process for Inec members and ensure real-time publication of and access to election results. They also called for the provision of greater protection for media practitioners, the addressing of discrimination against women in political life and combating impunity regarding electoral offences.

However, in the statement titled We reject European Union’s conclusions on 2023 general elections, President Tinubu's special adviser on special duties, communication and strategy, Dele Alake, alleged bias and an intention to impeach the integrity of the 2023 elections, which it described as the best organised general elections in Nigeria since 1999. His statement read:  “We strongly reject, in its entirety, any notion and idea from any organisation, group, and individual remotely suggesting that the 2023 election was fraudulent.”

However, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar slammed the presidency for allegedly failing to understand that truth is constant all the time. Phrank Shaibu, his spokesman, said the EU’s final report on the 2023 polls showed that the outcome of the election was not a reflection of the will of Nigerians who trooped out to cast their ballot.