International bodies probe Nigeria’s political environment ahead of 2019

Two reputable organizations, the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) have jointly delegated some critical auditors for analyses of current Nigeria’s political environment ahead of the 2019 general elections. The mission which has commenced Friday will last till Thursday 20th December, 2018. According to a statement signed by Lady Nkiru Celine Okoro, Media Consultant to PEAM, the delegates include Lewis Lucke, Former Ambassador to the Kingdom of Swaziland, US Department of State (USA); Dickson Omondi, Kenya Resident Country Director, NDI (Kenya); Linda Thomas-Greenfield (lead delegate), Former Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, US Department of State (USA);and John Tomaszewski, Africa Director, IRI (USA). “With just nine weeks until Nigeria’s presidential and legislative elections, the international community is looking closely at the prospects for free, fair, and credible elections in a country that can greatly influence the democratic trajectory of sub-Saharan Africa,” the statement quoted Thomas-Greenfield as saying. It says that during the mission, the delegation will meet with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to assess election preparations and explore ways of fostering peaceful and credible polls in the country. The mission will present its findings at a press conference in Abuja on December 19, 2018. “IRI and NDI conducted first pre-election assessment in July 2018 and the second in September 2018, and will jointly deploy international observers to the February 2019 presidential and legislative elections and the March 2019 gubernatorial and state assembly polls. “IRI and NDI have organized more than 200 international election observation missions around the globe, earning a reputation for impartiality and professionalism. The IRI-NDI mission to Nigeria will conduct its activities in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and Code of Conduct adopted by the United Nations in 2005 and will base its findings and recommendations on Nigerian laws and international standards for elections. All activities will be conducted on a strictly nonpartisan basis and without interfering in the election process,” the statement concluded.