The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has said it would not be cowed or deterred from doing its work by threats from any quarters.
The comment from the EU was in reaction to an earlier comment by Gov. Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna state that foreigners who intervene in the general elections would leave in “body bags”.
Responding through a statement on Wednesday evening, EU EOM insisted its observers would not be deterred from doing their work, pointing out that it had been involved in all Nigerian elections since 1999 and this year will not be an exception.
The statement read; “We are aware of the comments by the Governor of Kaduna about non-interference by foreigners during a talk show on the elections Tuesday 5 February.
“The EU only deploys an election observation mission when it is invited to do so by the authorities of a country. The EU has been invited to observe all of the general elections in Nigeria since 1999. Thus this is the sixth time the EU is observing elections in Nigeria.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission invited the EU to deploy an observation mission for the 2019 general elections.
“EU election observation missions give commentary and analysis and make recommendations about the electoral process. EU election observation missions are impartial, do not interfere in the electoral process, and operate according to a strict code of conduct.”
It maintained that its observers will continue to do their work -in the run up to, and after the elections –even as their security remains under constant review.
“While the security of EU observers is of paramount importance, and will remain under constant review, EU observers will continue their work across the country in the run-up to – and beyond – the 16 February elections.
READ ALSO: El-Rufai’s Body Bag Comment: PDP Threatens To Pull Out of Peace Accord
“For the last month the mission’s team in Abuja, as well as 40 long-term observers across the country, have followed the elections.
“We have met with a wide range of candidates, parties, election officials, security agencies, and civil society organizations, and have enjoyed good cooperation at federal and state levels.
“The mission looks at all aspects of the election, including the campaign tone, the transparency of the election administration, the neutrality of security forces, and the independence of the judiciary.”
The comment by El-Rufai’s had drawn condemnation from opposition parties with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, threatening to pull out of the peace accord and calling on the international community to impose travel ban on the governor.
However, clarifying his position, in a statement by his spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, El-Rufai insisted that his comments were in defence of Nigeria’s dignity.
