EU Earmarks €39 Million to Electoral Process, Democracy in Nigeria
The European Union is earmarking €39 million for Nigeria’s electoral process and democracy.
The programme labeled ‘EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Phase II’, is sponsored by the EU’s Neighbourhood Development and International Cooperation Instrument, over a five-year period.
This comes as a re-affirmation of EU’s dedication towards endorsing Nigeria’s electoral process and would be inaugurated on Monday September 12.
As contained in a statement yesterday by the EU, the programme is intended for facilitating transparent, inclusive and credible elections in Nigeria.
According to the statement, the overall objective of the EU-SDGN is to nurture a functioning pluralistic, inclusive, participatory and representative democracy in Nigeria, urging that inclusive, participatory and transparent elections were prerequisites for a strong democracy.
The statement cited the Ambassador of the EU to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Samuela Isopi, to have said that: “Ahead of the 2023 general election, Nigeria is at a pivotal moment that allows the country to take important steps to consolidate democracy and strengthen the electoral process. The European Union continues to partner with Nigeria in the on-going reform process with a view to strengthening the capacity to conduct well-managed elections and with ample participation of all Nigerians. For this to happen, all must contribute, from the key institutions to the political parties and candidates, from media to civil society.”
The statement added that the project will be attached to the priorities identified by the Nigerian government.
Furthermore, it builds on the lessons learned from the implementation of phase I of the programme 2017-2022 and the recommendations of the EU Election Observation Mission made after the 2019 general election as well as those of the EU Election Follow-up Mission to Nigeria.
Moreover, the project will more precisely focused on six thematic areas of support including promoting the quality of electoral administration in Nigeria; strengthening capacities for legislative and judicial reform in compliance with democratic principles and standards; enhancing pluralism, internal democracy and equality of opportunity in the political parties and the political party system.
