From David Onuoja, Abuja
The new European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and the ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot has paid his first outing visit to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Tuesday in Abuja.
Welcoming the Ambassador, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, reiterated the Commission’s readiness to partner with the Union in order to deepen Nigeria’s democracy.
Professor Yakubu said, the Commission have been enjoying the union’s support since the restoration of democracy two decades ago.
According to Mahmood Yakubu, “We note that INEC is the first agency you are visiting in Nigeria since your formal assumption of duty four days ago on 24th January 2025. This is a further affirmation of the long-standing relationship between the EU and the Commission.
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“We worked very closely with your predecessors and we look forward to sustaining the same relationship with you to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral democracy.
“Since the 2023 General Election, the Commission has received reports from many of the 206 national and foreign groups and international organisations accredited to observe the elections, including your European Union Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM).
“We welcome the EU’s assurance of continuous engagement and collaboration with the Commission as we approach the third phase of the European Union-Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN), under which funding support is provided to several institutions and groups that play a role in democracy and governance in Nigeria from INEC to the National Assembly, the judiciary, political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, the media and the National Peace Committee”, he said.
On the rumours of EU sponsoring INEC activities, he said, “For the record, the Commission does not receive direct funding and we do not have an account into which donor funds are warehoused. The EU and other development partners provide indirect support in areas such as the publication of reports, retreats, engagement with stakeholders, as well as consultancy and technical support services in various areas, through the implementing partners selected and appointed by them.
“Their support does not involve any direct funding of core electoral activities of the Commission such as voter registration, production of PVCs, training and renumeration of ad hoc staff, electoral logistics, and the procurement of sensitive materials, including election technology. These activities remain the sovereign responsibility of the Federal Government of Nigeria”, Yakubu clarified.
In his remark, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, said, “Nigeria has a vibrant democracy. We are celebrating, your 25 years of the return to democracy.
“And for us, it is a key part of the democracy, the basis of the democracy we have in our country. Because we both believe democracy as the best way to organise relationships in our society between men and citizens.
“Without a credible electoral system enjoying the trust of the citizens and the stakeholders, there can’t be good democracy.
“This is why the European Union is very happy and honored to have a very long and very strong cooperation with the country in general, with the UN in particular, on these matters, on electoral matters in particular.
“This cooperation is based on respect for each other’s sovereignty. We are not here to teach lessons or to dictate what you have to do, just to bring some of our experience, learn from you, and bring some expertise.
“We are in the middle of a project of support to democracy and governance in Nigeria with the 19 million euros and more cooperation”, Mr Gautier added.
