Judging from the irregularities that overwhelmed the Osun State Governorship election, delegates from the Missions of the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States have expressed fears over the credibility of the next general elections in Nigeria.
The delegates who monitored the rerun election of the state commended the turnout of voters but noted that there was a high rate of interference in the election and intimidation of voters especially by political parties aided by security agencies.
“We were concerned to witness widespread incidents of interference and intimidation of voters, journalists, and civil society observers by some political party supporters and security agencies.”
The EU, UK and US delegates, however, maintained that for the next elections in the country to be credible, security agencies must be neutral.
“It is clear that the neutrality of the security services and responsible conduct by party agents, both inside and outside polling units, will be essential to ensure free, fair, credible and peaceful elections in 2019.”
The election observer team urged aggrieved parties from the Osun state elections to seeks redress through “peaceful and lawful means”.
They also added that they are “committed to supporting the Nigerian people in seeing free, fair, credible, and peaceful elections.”
Menu