Coalition of Civil Society Organization and Political Parties for Good Governance protesters stormed the European Union’s Abuja national headquarters on Thursday to protest its 2023 presidential election report.
Around 100 protesters marched from National Hospital to the EU headquarters with placards reading “Nigerians reject EU election observer report,” “Don’t provoke violence in Nigeria,” and “We say No to falsified report.”
The group asked to meet European Union Ambassador Ms Samuela Isopi and Deputy Head of the EU to Nigeria Alexandre Borges-Gomes while shouting President Bola Tinubu’s “On your mandate” campaign hymn.
The protests drew a large security force that blocked the perimeter.
The rally follows the EU Election Observation Mission’s final report on Nigeria’s February 25 presidential election.
The EU-Chief EOM’s Observer, Barry Andrews, said the elections were on time but lacked transparency due to anomalies and organisational errors.
Dr. Ene Ogbole, coalition coordinator, called the report an intentional effort to cause turmoil in the nation.
The former Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Committee coordinator told reporters outside the EU secretariat that every election had unique issues.
She stated, “Every election conducted around the globe, including the United States of America, Great Britain and even the European Union nations, have their quirks. Nigeria’s most transparent election was President Bola Tinubu’s.
“We were surprised when the media reported the EU report thoroughly and particularly stated the election was illegitimate and fell short of standards. That’s from nowhere. If it’s the election we all fought for and died for as Americans, something’s wrong.”
Ogbole asked why the union took their report to the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal to make its case.
She said no respectable government or institution would conclude a presidential election conducted in fewer than 1,000 polling units to represent what happened in over 176,000 units nationwide.
EU should know where to stop. Why should the tribunal hear this election report? Their counties have rules. In Nigeria, they break protocol. They must observe our laws and follow regulations.
“You would agree that the European Union report is enough to cause a national issue, anarchy, and put Nigeria’s security and sovereignty at risk. Their function is clear. She said, “But again, we have to stop.”
Danjuma Mohammed, another coalition leader, called on Nigerians to reject the EU election report, calling it “orchestrated by critics of Nigeria’s democracy.”
The APC stalwart said the EU team’s findings were skewed, but election monitors should report what they see.
“The European Union’s verdict regarding a rigged election is unfounded, and we feel Nigeria’s democratic adversaries manufactured it. We encourage the media and good Nigerians to protect democracy. It’s dangerous to democracy.
“During elections, arguments and disagreements are normal. “But the European Union’s negative contribution is inappropriate, unnecessary, and we reject it as a whole, especially now when we are battling with basic challenges of insecurity,” he added.
Attempts to communicate with the EU ambassador to Nigeria and the union’s deputy head failed.
The protocol officials at the entry said they were at a meeting when the report was filed.
