.As EU seeks transparency in electoral processes
.I ‘ll run for presidency, not step down for anybody, says Atiku
CYRIL MBAH, Abuja, IGNATIUS OKOROCHA, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) jointly warned that failure to act on electoral reforms could compromise the integrity of the 2027 general elections.
Making this declaration in Abuja on Thursday, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, sounded the alarm that legislative inertia was stalling critical reforms needed to stabilize the nation’s electoral system.
“Elections are governed by law. Many of your recommendations require the review of our electoral laws.
“We appeal to the National Assembly for expeditious consideration of the reform proposals. Early passage of the law is critical to election planning.
“Uncertainty over the legal framework unsettles our work as elections draw nearer,” Yakubu warned.
The Chairman disclosed that out of 23 recommendations made by the EU after the 2023 general elections, eight (34.8%) were directed at INEC, while 15 (65.2%) were responsibilities of the executive, legislature, judiciary, political parties, civil society, media, and professional bodies.
He revealed that INEC has already acted on administrative recommendations within its power and submitted 142 proposals for reform to the National Assembly.
Welcoming the EU delegation led by Chief Observer Barry Andrews, Yakubu reiterated that Nigeria values international partnerships in strengthening democracy and confirmed that invitations would soon be extended to the EU, Commonwealth, AU, and ECOWAS to observe the 2027 general elections.
“We believe that the recommendations arising from your observation of our elections and processes help improve their quality. We will continue to deepen this partnership,” Yakubu affirmed.
Earlier, the Chief Observer Barry Andrews, a Member of the European Parliament, insisted that Nigeria must move beyond half-measures and guarantee transparency if democracy is to survive.
“Election observation is not about interference; it is about strengthening democracy in Nigeria, in Africa, and across the world,” Andrews declared.
He commended INEC’s cooperation but warned that reforms in the judiciary, administration, and constitution remain too slow, with transparency in result publication still unresolved.
The EU team, which includes Ambassador Gautier Mignot and a panel of election experts, is in Nigeria for a week-long mission to evaluate reform progress.
It has also reviewed off-cycle governorship elections since 2023, describing them as a barometer of electoral credibility.
Both INEC and the EU agreed on one urgent point noting that unless Nigeria moves swiftly to pass electoral amendments, the 2027 general elections could be conducted under the same flawed framework that undermined past polls.
“Your recommendations help strengthen democracy in Nigeria. We will continue to deepen this partnership,” Yakubu assured, while confirming that the EU, AU, ECOWAS, and the Commonwealth would be formally invited to observe the 2027 elections.
For now, the warning is clear, time is running out, and the credibility of Nigeria’s next elections hangs in the balance.
.I ‘ll run for presidency, not step down for anybody, says Atiku
Meanwhile, Former Vice President and 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has denied ever offering to step down for anybody for the 2027 presidetial election.
Atiku was quoted by a BBC Hausa Service report to have allegedly offered to step down for younger aspirants during the selection process of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leading to the next election.
The former vice president, in a statement signed by Paul Ibe, his Media Adviser described the report as false and mischievous.
The statement reads in full: “It has become necessary to clarify certain misrepresentations arising from the reportage of an interview granted by His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, to the BBC Hausa Service by some sections of the media.
“After a thorough review of both the video and transcripts of the interview – in the original Hausa and the English translation – it is evident that at no point did the former Vice President expressly state, suggest, or even imply that he intends to step down for anyone.
“What Atiku Abubakar clearly and unambiguously said was that young people, as well as other prospective presidential aspirants, are free to enter the contest.
He further stressed that if a young candidate were to emerge through a competitive primary, he would readily support such a candidate without any hesitation.
“While interpretative journalism is a legitimate aspect of reporting, stretching interpretation to the point of mischief is unacceptable and must not be encouraged.
“For the records, therefore, the insinuations attributed to the Wazirin Adamawa from his BBC Hausa interview are inaccurate and do not reflect what he actually said.”
The Media Adviser to Atiku Abubakar concluded by advising newsmen to be sensitive to the likely effects of their reports on national unity and the peace of the country pointing out that Atiku Abubakar remains a candidate in the 2027 presidential election.
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