TheCable

Samuela Isopi, European Union (EU) ambassador to Nigeria, says the EU has committed €150 million to support electoral institutions and stakeholders in the country since 1999.

Isopi spoke on Monday at an event to unveil the second phase of the European Union support to democratic governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) project.

Phase II of the project is a “€39m initiative. funded under the EU’s Neighbourhood Development and International Cooperation Instrument, over a five-year period” and is part of efforts to improve democratic governance in Nigeria.

The ambassador said the EU’s aim is to “foster a functioning pluralistic, inclusive, participatory and representative democracy in Nigeria”.

“The European Union has provided technical support to key electoral institutions and stakeholders since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, with 150 million euros committed so far,” she said.

“Phase one of the EU-SDGN programme contributed to the reform of the electoral process by building capacities, strengthening institutions, strengthening the role and participation of civil society, and contributing to the reform of the legal framework.

“Building on the success of the first phase, the identification and formulation of phase II of the programme was done in consultation with the Nigerian government and key stakeholders such as the INEC and civil society organisations.”

On his part, Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, said the commission would work with its partners to ensure that the 2023 polls are free and fair.

“The choice of the partners signifies a vote of confidence in their capacity to undertake actions and implement activities that are critical to promoting the institutionalisation of democratic norms in our country,” Yakubu said.

“We will work with the implementing partners for free, fair, credible and inclusive elections.”