European Union Observers Should Let Nigeria “Breet”
By THECONSCIENCEng
A common slogan among Nigerian youths is “Let us ‘Breet’.” The message is a soft protest to allow the youths thrive. That slogan is perhaps also coming to play in the political space in Nigeria.
The 2023 election has come and gone, and political parties have returned to their respective drawing boards to understand what led to their defeat in a keenly contested election where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerged as Nigeria’s President.
President Tinubu had emerged above 17 others candidates who ran for the top office. He garnered the highest number of votes (8,794,726) overall, which satisfied the first constitutional condition to be proclaimed victor. In addition, he received more than 25% of the votes cast in 30 states, which is more than the constitutionally needed 25%.
One month into the administration, the European Union came up with a negative verdict on the election.
At a news conference in Abuja last week, EU EOM Chief Observer Barry Andrews presented the EU EOM’s final report on the Nigerian general elections of 2023, outlining flaws and areas the group felt needed changes.
According to Andrews’ analysis, the legislative and systemic reforms that are required will have an impact on public confidence in the INEC.
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However, the President’s Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Dele Alake, swiftly refuted the claims, raising alarm on an attempt to undermine the government’s legitimacy.
Alake alleged bias and an intention to “impeach the integrity of the 2023 elections” which he described as the “best organized general elections in Nigeria since 1999 in a statement titled ‘We reject European Union’s conclusions on 2023 general elections’.
Alake insisted the report was harsh, and targeted at maligning the new government and misleading the people.
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In a show of support, local political observers in Nigeria have also called on the European Union Election Observers to let Nigeria ‘breet” or be.
They said the foreign observers should let the nation thrive as the administration of President Bola Tinubu has been accepted as the best decision and direction for the good of the nation.
They urged the EU observers to focus on the good part of the country, rather than trying to cause political tension.
It’s worthy to note that elections globally are generally without irregularities and Nigeria as a democracy remains a work in progress.
” America is 247 years old and still has electoral challenges likewise other European countries in the world. Electoral irregularities are not peculiar to Africa and Nigeria alone; so it’s time the EU Electoral Observers allowed Nigerians have a breath of fresh air.
“Organizations like the EU Electoral Observers should learn to see good in African countries as they are relatively young when it comes to democracy and shouldn’t become agents of instability.
President Bola Tinubu is interested in giving Nigerians a ray hope and is battling with redeeming the lost hope of the country and Nigerians are hopeful that with President Tinubu, Nigeria will bounce back to the good days.
