The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM) has pledged to remain neutral in its work during the Nigerian general elections holding between the Feb. 25 and March 11, 2023.
The august body reiterated that its oath to remain neutral in the country’s electoral process is sacrosanct.
A report monitored in The Guardian, Nigeria, said the EU Election Observation Mission. led by Mr Robert Hall and Diana Ferrari, made the pledge during a visit to the Founder and Spiritual Leader of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, (BCS) Leader Olumba-Olumba Obuh in Calabar, the Cross Rivers State capital on Sunday.
Explaining their mission during the visit, Hall, said it was imperative that they visit the spiritual leader who he commended for his sacrificial efforts at uniting families and communities.
“We are election observers on assignment to Cross River and Akwa Ibom and we received good reports on the spiritual leader and his large followers he has influenced positively in Nigeria,” Hall said.
“Since we are to educate the electorate on the need to participate in the general election by casting their votes, there is need for us to visit the Leader of BCS.
“Speaking about neutrality during the election, nothing can make us violate our mandate or the oath taken to be neutral in the election,” he said.
Obu, in his response, said he was very happy over their visit and will give the team the necessary cooperation to ensure that their mission to Nigeria succeeds.
He emphasized that the general elections, which start this Saturday, were very important to Nigerians but added that he had no preferred presidential candidate.
Obu further told the EU delegation that he had advised his adherents to freely exercise their franchise and vote for the candidate of their choice.
“I urge Nigerians to conduct themselves peacefully during and after the general election,” he said. “This election must be devoid of vote buying, rigging, violence and killings.
“On EU’s request to know more about BCS, my mission and teachings border on love, forgiveness, peace and unity of all races.”
He assured the EU observers of their safety throughout their stay in Nigeria, adding that he would gladly receive them again since they promised to return to his organisation in continuation of their voter education.
