The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, voiced strong criticism against the European Union (EU) for its report on the 2023 Nigerian presidential election. Wike accused the EU of failing to present an accurate depiction of the election, asserting that the report created a misleading impression, especially regarding Rivers State.
The dissatisfaction was expressed during a working visit by EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi, to Wike’s office. Wike emphasized that the EU’s role was supposed to be that of an observer, not to publish a report that did not reflect the true state of Nigerian democracy.
In June, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM), led by Chief Observer Barry Andres, presented its final report on the Nigerian general elections. The report highlighted six priority areas along with recommendations.
Wike argued that Nigerian laws could not be identical to EU laws, citing the different environments in which they operate. He expressed disagreement with the EU’s portrayal of events in Rivers State, stating that the report diverged from the actual occurrences.
Addressing the issue, Wike stated, “How can people who believe in democracy and practice it be portrayed as people who don’t understand democracy?” He urged foreign partners to focus on strategic development rather than contentious areas.
In response, EU Ambassador Samuela Isopi clarified that the report was compiled by independent observers and was not reflective of her personal operations. She assured Wike of her commitment to collaborating on developmental initiatives in the Federal Capital Territory and beyond. The diplomatic exchange underscores the sensitivity of international election observation reports and the potential impact on diplomatic relations.
