The Labour Party has expressed its surprise and disappointment over the protests carried out by the All Progressives Congress (APC) regarding the final report of the European Union Observer Mission to the 2023 General Election.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the Acting National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, described the protests as embarrassing and unnecessary. The party expressed its concern over the APC’s rejection of the report and its demand for its withdrawal, claiming that it could ignite unrest in the country.
The Labour Party emphasized the importance of truth and measures that would strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, stating that the APC’s reaction was contradictory and difficult to comprehend. The party highlighted the role of the European Union in supporting democracy in Nigeria through needs assessment missions and financial, technical, and logistical support.
The statement pointed out that instead of protesting, the APC should have appreciated the European Union’s contributions and acknowledged the need for electoral reform. It mentioned the electoral system reforms initiated by late President Umaru Yar’Adua and continued by his successor, President Goodluck Jonathan, which ultimately led to the victory of the APC as an opposition party in 2015.
The Labour Party criticized the APC for protesting against the EU, considering the history of observation reports issued by the EU after every election since 1999. It called on the ruling party to either discredit the report point by point or accept the reality of a stolen mandate.
The party urged Nigeria and democracy supporters globally to appreciate the EU’s role in promoting democratic principles and to reject any attempts to suppress or discredit the report.
In conclusion, the statement emphasized that representing Nigeria with a stolen electoral mandate would remain a burden for the APC at international fora, where countries with credible elections and broadly accepted outcomes are present.
The issue highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the EU Observer Mission’s report on Nigeria’s 2023 General Election and its implications for democracy in the country.
