The European Union’s envoy to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi, has stated that it is Nigeria’s prerogative to decide on the utilization of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) report for the 2023 general election. Isopi made this remark in Abuja during the awarding of postgraduate scholarships to 135 Nigerian students.
The EU EOM report, released in June, deemed the election “credible” but identified certain “shortcomings” in the electoral process. However, the presidency rejected the report, describing it as “unfounded” and a result of a poorly conducted desk job reliant on a few individuals.
Addressing the controversy, Isopi emphasized that the EU would continue its cooperation with Nigeria on matters concerning elections, but the decision to implement the recommendations from the EU EOM report ultimately rests with the Nigerian government.
Isopi also revealed that the EU has granted postgraduate scholarships to 135 young Nigerians to pursue studies at top European universities. Notably, Nigeria has been the primary beneficiary of EU postgraduate scholarships in Africa over the past five years.
