The Neo Africana Centre has expressed its disappointment with the Bola Tinubu presidency’s handling of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM) report on Nigeria’s 2023 general elections. The center criticized the presidency’s response as impulsive, reactionary, and unbecoming, while also cautioning against the inclination to act as the judge in its own case. In this article, we delve into the repercussions of the presidency’s reaction and the significance of the EU-EOM’s findings on the elections.
Rejection of EU-EOM Report: Following a three-month-long observation across Nigeria, the EU-EOM released its final report, highlighting enduring systemic weaknesses that hindered transparency, inclusiveness, and trust in the electoral process. The report specifically mentioned shortcomings in electoral administration and laws, which impeded the conduct of well-run and inclusive elections. Notably, the report criticized the electoral commission’s failure to ensure real-time publication of election results and accessibility to such data.
Presidency’s Swift Response: In response to the EU-EOM report, the presidency promptly dismissed it as a result of inadequate research. It vehemently rejected any suggestions or insinuations that the 2023 elections were fraudulent, emphasizing that the elections were not only credible but also the freest, fairest, and most transparent since 1999.
Former Chief of Staff’s Allegations: In a separate development, Tony Okocha, a former chief of staff to a former governor of Rivers State, accused Rotimi Amaechi, his former boss, of sabotaging the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the presidential election held on February 25th. Okocha claimed that Amaechi and Magnus Abe abandoned the party, leading to disarray, and only returned after the victory to assert their association with the party. Okocha challenged Abe’s claim of being Tinubu’s “first son” in Rivers State and demanded evidence of Tinubu’s defeat in Abe’s polling units, ward, and local government.
Reconciliation Efforts in Afenifere: Efforts are underway to reconcile Pa Ayo Adebanjo and Pa Reuben Fasoranti, two leaders of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere. The reconciliation discussions, attended by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, aimed to foster unity among Yoruba leaders and within Afenifere, particularly after their divergent support for different presidential candidates in the 2023 election.
Court Upholds Expulsion of Senator Goje from APC: The Federal High Court in Abuja has upheld the suspension and subsequent expulsion of former Gombe State Governor Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje from the All Progressives Congress (APC). The court ruled that Goje was afforded ample opportunity to appear before an investigative committee but failed to do so, thereby negating his claim of being denied a fair hearing.
The Bola Tinubu presidency’s dismissive response to the EU-EOM report has drawn criticism from the Neo Africana Centre. Additionally, allegations of sabotage during the presidential election have emerged, highlighting divisions within the APC. Reconciliation efforts are also underway within Afenifere. Finally, the court’s ruling upholding Senator Goje’s expulsion from the APC underscores the importance of adhering to party processes and fair hearings.