Conduct Free, Fair Election In 2023- UN Charges Nigeria, Promises Support
The United Nations (UN) has urged Nigeria to live up to its billing as the African giant by conducting a credible, free and fair election in 2023.
Mr. Matthias Schmale, Resident Coordinator of the UN System in Nigeria, gave the charge on Monday 27 June, 2022 while addressing the national leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja as part of the UN engagement with critical stakeholders in the 2023 General Elections.
Schmale stressed that APC as the party in power should play its part in a good way to ensure a free and fair electoral process in 2023.
His words: “I’m happy to be here and for your warm welcome. Nigeria is a very important country in West Africa and the Sahel where I am responsible on the UN side. Nigeria of course must stand as an example for other African countries. We recognize that the election would be held next year in the country and our expectation is that Nigeria will be exemplary in West Africa and of course in Africa. West Africa needs good examples and if the example is coming from a big country like Nigeria it will be clear.
“We are to confer with our brothers and sisters from Nigeria. We just met with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and we plan on meeting with other actors with a simple message: we would like the next election to be free and acceptable by all. And you as APC, the party in power has an important role to play. We would as UN supporting you. The INEC is playing a very important role. We call on all the actors to allow the election to be conducted peacefully.
” There is a saying that “when Nigeria sneezes all the region catches cold.” So we like and hope that you will be the locomotive for the region. And this is the role we expect you as APC to play you part in a very good way. The UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel has and works with about 15 countries. We encourage good example when we see them and we know that you in Nigeria have multiple challenges. But I know also that Nigeria has a very great capacity in terms of resilience and I’m sure Nigerians will overcome the challenges
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