Elections: AU, ECOWAS Observers tasks INEC on credibility

by Lizzy Okojie

The observation missions of the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deployed for the Nigerian general elections on a credible conclusion of the electoral process.

Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, leader of the AU delegation, and former Sierra Leone President Ernest Koroma, leader of the ECOWAS delegation, call in Abuja on Monday during a preliminary briefing on the election.

He also urged Nigerians to remain calm until the final result is announced by INEC, warning against misinformation and fake news, especially on social media platforms, which would incite post-election violence.

Responding to questions from journalists, Koroma said that the AU and the EU Observation Mission are urging INEC to improve its communication so as to avoid speculation, misinformation and fake news of any kind.

Koroma said he urged INEC to stick to its principle of credibility and integrity to ensure that the peaceful process that has already begun reaches a peaceful conclusion.

The leader of the ECOWAS delegation said that beyond the inspection mission, they were in Nigeria with the AU mission on a diplomatic engagement to ensure a peaceful transition.

“We will do whatever we can at this stage, as we have done in the preliminary report, to urge INEC to, where possible, improve communication with the public and members of political parties.

“Improve counting and tallying methods and review uploading, as these were all systems INEC promised to carry out without difficulty.

“And as observers, we cannot make conclusive statements but will continue to urge INEC because there is a lot of concern out there, people are anxiously waiting.

“And the more we delay, the more we give room for speculation, misinformation and misinformation. That’s why we are worried about it.

Koroma said, “We will continue our engagement with INEC and other stakeholders to ensure that what has begun as a relatively peaceful process continues and ends in a manner acceptable to all of us, including the Nigerian population. “

Koroma said ECOWAS and the AU Observation Mission were making a strong appeal to Nigerians against post-election violence, adding that the outcome of the process would be a strong statement for democracy in the sub-region and Africa.

“We appeal to Nigerians to remain peaceful and calm, listen to official sources of result dissemination and do not listen to the usual social media platforms. They are misinformation and can cause problems.

“That is why, beyond observation, as AU and ECOWAS, we have now turned to a preventive diplomacy engagement.

“And we will continue to engage the stakeholders, INEC, political parties until the whole process is concluded and there is a peaceful transition to a new leadership.

“We urge Nigerians to complete the process started in an encouraging manner,” Koroma said.

Also answering questions from journalists, Kenyatta said he tried to be as transparent as possible in reporting what he had seen, adding that the process was not over until an announcement was made. does not happen.

Kenyatta also urged the electoral umpire to fix whatever challenges are being faced so that the process can be brought to a credible and peaceful conclusion.

“The only thing I can do is appeal to President Koroma to recognize the mood from INEC and look into the situation to speed up the process and ensure that process of accountability and credibility that he has created so far is kept

“To sustain it till the end so that the true will of the good people of Nigeria is expressed in the leaders they elect.

“We have no reason to doubt the integrity of INEC. For us, it is to continue to appeal that the wrongs they are doing are fixed. The sooner this process is brought to a transparent conclusion, the better.

“And apart from this the only appeal we have to all stakeholders, political parties, candidates, is to have patience to wait for the final authority assigned to do so.

“Whatever grievances they may have, to follow the legal and constitutional means, whatever the consequences, to abide by the peace accord that we all saw signed.

Kenyatta said, “And for those who are really concluding the process, it is their duty to continue to perform their sworn duty to ensure that Nigerians are able to hold a free and fair election that will represent the true people of Nigeria.” Will express his will.”

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touré, thanked the AU and the ECOWAS Inspection Mission, who had come at the invitation of the ECOWAS Commissions to fulfill their mandates.

He also thanked the media for the good coverage of the elections, especially at a time when media is dominated by fake news.

“ECOWAS will indeed be following the results closely and will continue to reach out to all stakeholders within the framework of our preventive diplomacy,” Touré said. (NAN)