EU Launches €39m Support For Democratic Governance in Nigeria.
Caroline Ameh
The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed its commitment to democracy in Nigeria through the launching of thirty nine million Euro (€39m) support for democratic governance in Nigeria.
The programme, tagged EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase II, will be implemented until 2027, and is aimed at improving the quality of electoral administration in Nigeria, among others.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS Samuela Isopi, stated this in Abuja on Monday, at the closure of EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Phase I and launch of EU-SDGN phase II.
Ms Samuela Isopi stressed that the EU will continue to promote transparent, inclusive and credible elections in the country. “The overall objective of the EU-SDGN is to foster a functioning pluralistic, inclusive, participatory and representative democracy in Nigeria. Inclusive, participatory and transparent elections are a pre-requisite for a strong democracy”.
“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 EU 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.
She added that the project would be anchored on the priorities identified by the Nigerian government, saying it builds on the lessons learned from the implementation of Phase I of the programme from (2017-2022).
She said that the recommendations of the EU Election Observation Mission were made after the 2019 General Election as well as those of the EU Election Follow-up Mission to Nigeria, more specifically, it would focus on six thematic areas of support:
She also disclosed that the European Union has provided technical support to key electoral institutions and stakeholders since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, with over a hundred and fifty million euros (150 million euros) committed so far.
Isopi said, “Phase 1 of the EU-SDGN programme contributed to the reform of the electoral process by building capacities, strengthening institutions, strengthening the role and participation of civil society, contributing to the
reform of the legal framework.
“Building on the success of the first phase, the Identification and Formulation of phase II of the programme was done in consultation with the Nigerian Government and key stakeholders such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and civil society organisations”.
“As the largest democracy in Africa, elections in Nigeria matter. They matter to Nigeria and Nigerians, they also matter for Africa as their outcome will be watched and felt well beyond its borders. Nigeria has the responsibility to lead and inspire other democracies on the continent.
