…says it wasn’t true reflection of 2023 polls
NOSA EGHAGHA
ABUJA, Nigeria – The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has expressed displeasure to the European Union Election Observation Mission EU-EOM, over its report on the 2023 presidential election.
Wike while receiving the EU ambassador to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi at his office, said the report did not give accurate representation of the general election that took place in the country.
He flayed the EU for creating a wrong impression on the minds of the electorate, especially in Rivers State.
European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM), through the chief observer, Barry Andres, had, in June, presented its final report on the last Nigerian general elections, and highlighted six priority areas with recommendations.
“I didn’t agree with European Union over the last report on election in Nigeria. They are to observe, Nigerian laws can’t be the same with EU laws because they have different environments.
“In Rivers state, the EU’s report was different from what transpired there. How can people that believe in democracy and practice it, be portrayed as people that don’t understand democracy?
“Our concern should be how to make the economy grow better, we have to corporate 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.”
Meanwhile, the Minister also indicated interest in partnering with investors from the European countries in different economic areas.
Wike noted that there were opportunities for investment, not only in FCT, but across the country, but the interested investors need to show specific areas, so that government would be properly guided on how to support them.
While he assured that his administration would promote and support such business ideas, he also reiterated the need for intending investors to respect Nigerian laws.
In her response, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi, said the report was put together by an independent observer and has nothing to do with her own operations.
She pledged the Union’s commitment to work with the Minister to boost development in the territory and beyond.
Isopi said that a team of investors from different European countries would soon be in Abuja to seek opportunities to invest.
She disclosed that many members of the European Union and Investors had been involved in several agricultural value chains development in the country.
She further stated that the Union was working towards hosting a conference in Abuja, which would enhance relationships with the Nigerian government.
