What Wike Told EU Ambassador Concerning Its Damning Report On 2023 Elections

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Monday, strongly criticized the European Union (EU) for its report on the 2023 Nigerian presidential election.

Wike asserted that the report failed to accurately depict the reality of the recent election in the country, leading to a misleading impression among voters, especially in Rivers State. His discontent was voiced during a working visit from the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi.

Wike argued that the EU’s role was meant to be that of an observer during the election, not to produce a report that distorted the true state of Nigerian democracy. The European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM), represented by Chief Observer Barry Andres, had previously presented its final report on the last Nigerian general elections in June, outlining six priority areas with recommendations.

Wike, however, said Nigerian laws can’t be the same as those of the EU because they have different environments. He said: “I didn’t agree with the European Union over the last report on the election in Nigeria. They are to observe. Nigerian laws can’t be the same as EU laws because they have different environments.

“In Rivers State, the EU’s report was different from what transpired there. How can people who believe in democracy and practice it, be portrayed as people who don’t understand democracy?

“Our concern should be how to make the economy grow better, we have to cooperate and agree on specific areas of development in the Federal Capital Territory and the entire country.

“Foreign partners should be concerned with strategic development irrespective of the areas”.

In her response, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi, said the report was put together by independent observers and has nothing to do with her own operations.

Isopi promised the Union’s commitment to work with the Minister to boost development in the territory and beyond.