Wike: EU’s election report different from what transpired in Nigeria

Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says the European Union (EU) election observation report for the 2023 polls contradicts the realities in Nigeria.

Wike spoke on Monday when he hosted Samuela Isopi, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, in Abuja.

The minister said, with the report, the EU is creating a wrong impression in the minds of the electorate, especially in Rivers.

He said the report failed to give the true position of the last elections held in Nigeria.

The minister said the EU was supposed to serve as an observer during the general election and not to present a report that would contradict the true picture of Nigerian democracy.

He noted that Nigerian laws can’t be the same as that of the EU because they have different environments.

“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,” Wike said. 

“In Rivers State, the EU’s report was different from what transpired there. How can people who believe in democracy and practise 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.”

While responding, Isopi said the report was put together by independent observers who are not under her operations. 

She said the EU is committed to working with Wike to boost development in the FCT and beyond.

On June 15, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM) led by Barry Andres presented its final report on the 2023 elections.