AU To Send 90-Member Observer Team For Nigeria’s Election
The African Union Commission announced Tuesday that it will be sending a 90-strong observer mission to Nigeria for this month’s elections.
Africa’s most populous country goes to the polls on February 25, but has been plunged into crisis in the runup to the vote with dire shortages of cash and fuel.
The African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) is being headed by former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta, who helped broker a deal to end two years of war in northern Ethiopia and is mediating in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The AU said the objectives of the mission were to provide an “accurate and impartial assessment” of the electoral process, offer recommendations for any improvement in future polls and to demonstrate AU support “towards consolidation of democracy, peace, stability and development in Nigeria”.
Nearly 100 million people will vote to chose the successor to President Muhammadu Buhari, who steps down after two terms as Nigeria struggles with widespread insecurity and economic malaise.
(ChannelsTV)
Buhari meets Tinubu in Aso Rock Villa
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Wednesday morning, met with the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to senior presidency sources, the meeting, which was held at Buhari’s official residence, explains his 40-minute delay before arriving at the Council Chambers to chair this week’s Federal Executive Council meeting.
The PUNCH reported that Buhari arrived at the Council Chambers at around 10:40 am, about an hour after the usual time of 10:00 am.
This comes four days after the APC held its campaign rally at Eagle Square, Abuja.
Although the reasons for the meeting are not known, it is likely connected with the APC’s campaign and the election which is only about 10 days away.
Another source who spoke with our correspondent said Buhari’s delay was premised in his decision to monitor the outcome of the Supreme Court’s ruling against the federal government and the Central Bank of Nigeria on the latter’s new naira policy.
However, the hearing was adjourned to Wednesday, February 22.
Afterward, Buhari proceeded to the Council Chambers where several ministers and cabinet members were waiting.
(Punch)
