TheCable

Patricia Scotland, secretary-general of the Commonwealth, says Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has accepted to chair the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG).

As the chairperson of the group, Osinbajo is expected to lead a team of experts in observing the general election in Sierra Leone on June 24.

Osinbajo would be joined by dignitaries from various fields including, legal, media, gender and election administration professionals from across the Commonwealth to carry out the task.

The group is mandated to consider whether conditions exist for credible, transparent, inclusive, and fair elections and whether the media is impartial in its reportage of the electioneering process.

“I am grateful to Yemi Osinbajo for accepting my invitation, to undertake this important area of our work in deepening democracy across our Commonwealth — despite his busy schedule and overseeing a seamless transition of his government,” Scotland said.

“As a senior statesman from the region, Osinbajo understands in depth the challenges across West Africa and I am confident he will lead a brilliant team.”

Osinbajo expressed gratitude for the opportunity to chair the Commonwealth observer group.

“I’m highly honoured by the unique opportunity to continue to bring my expertise and experience in contributing to deepening democracy, especially in Africa, and the Commonwealth by extension,” he said.