While urging Nigerians to remain committed to democracy, the African Union (AU) Observation Mission has stated that it is on the ground to assist Nigeria in conducting a peaceful, credible, and transparent election and transition of power.
A former president of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, the head of the AU Observation Mission, made this known on Tuesday during a visit to Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, in Abuja.
Kenyatta stated that the world and Africa are currently focused on Nigeria. He stated that the AU Observation Mission and the rest of the world are hopeful about that the elections will aid in building a better Nigeria.
In his words, “We are here to work together with you as members of the African Union observer team for the upcoming presidential, national assembly, governorship, as well as State Assembly elections. We are here as members, brothers, and sisters.
He added, “One thing which I have noted in particular is President Buhari’s personal commitment towards a free, fair and transparent election. This is something he has been talking about at various intervals.”
He noted that there are challenges that affect various parts of the world, not just Africa, for various reasons.
“There are many challenges and we all know that. And those challenges are not peculiar to Nigeria. But at the end of the day, what we want is that the eventual outcome of these elections reflects the will of the people of this great country of Nigeria,” Kenyatta said.
The AUEOM’s objectives are to provide accurate and impartial reporting or assessment of the election, to offer recommendations for improving future elections based on the findings and to demonstrate the AU’s interest in supporting AU member States’ elections and democratisation process.