EU chief election observer to Nigeria Fisas meets Oyegun, Makarfi over preparation for 2019 elections

EU chief election observer to Nigeria Fisas meets Oyegun, Makarfi over preparation for 2019 elections

- The 2015 EU chief election observer to Nigeria, Santaigo Fisas has met APC national chairman John Oyegun and his PDP counterpart, Ahmed Makarfi

- Fisas said his delegation was on a follow-up mission to assess the implementation of the recommendations of the 2015 EU EOM to Nigeria by stakeholders

- He said some of the recommendations made in 2015 must be implemented before 2019 general elections

A delegation of the 2015 European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM) to Nigeria, led by chief observer, Santiago Fisas Ayxela on Thursday, October 19, visited the chairmen of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at their national secretariats in Abuja.

Legit.ng gathered that the EU EOM delegation was received by the APC national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and some members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), which included: national secretary, Mai Mala Buni; national woman leader, Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu; national organising secretary; Sen. Osita Izunaso; national youth leader, Hon. Dasuki Ibrahim Jalo and national vice chairman (north central), Hon. Zakari Idde.

EU chief election observer to Nigeria Fisas meets Oyegun, Makarfi over preparation for 2019 elections
APC national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; Chief Observer, 2015 European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Nigeria, Santiago Fisas Ayxela and Ketil Karlsen.

READ ALSO: Jonathan reveals why he visited IBB in Minna

Speaking during the meeting, the 2015 EU EOM to Nigeria Chief Observer, Santiago Fisas Ayxela who is also a member of the European parliament, disclosed that the delegation was on a follow-up mission to assess the implementation of the recommendations of the 2015 EU EOM to Nigeria report by various stakeholders, including the APC and to identify the opportunities, challenges and preparations ahead of the 2019 general elections.

EU chief election observer to Nigeria Fisas meets Oyegun, Makarfi over preparation for 2019 elections
PDP national chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi in a meeting with EU chief election observer to Nigeria Fisas

Santiago Fisas Ayxela: “We are very happy to be here. This is my seventh visit to Nigeria... As you know, I came for elections in 2015. I was Chief Observer of the electoral mission of the European Union. I also returned to give the President the report of our mission.

“A few months ago, we reached an agreement with the National Assembly and the European Parliament for capacity building. We exchanged views on how our respective Parliaments work and relationships between opposition and the government.

EU chief election observer to Nigeria Fisas meets Oyegun, Makarfi over preparation for 2019 elections
APC national chairman, Chief John Oyegun in a meeting with the EU chief election observer to Nigeria Fisas

“We are here for the mutual review of the report that we made after the 2015 elections. Of course, there were some recommendations. The recommendations are up to Nigeria to accept or not. It is not the European Union that should decide on that.

“Some of the recommendations are to be implemented by the legislature, others by INEC and some by the political parties. We also hope to use this meeting to talk about preparation for the 2019 elections, which is not so far away.”

The APC national chairman in his remarks welcomed the delegation and expressed the readiness of the Party to exchange views on the 2015 EU EOM to Nigeria report and also disclosed preparations in the leadup to the 2019 General elections.

“We use this opportunity to renew our acquaintance. A lot of very interesting things are happening in your part of the world and ofcourse in ours. It is a good opportunity to touch base again and exchange ideas and views", he said.

Also, during his visit to PDP national secretariat, Santiago Fisas Ayxela thanked the national chairman of the party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi for creating time to meet with them and said that the delegation was at the Secretariat to re-present the recommendation the EOM made after the 2015 general elections to the party for consideration.

PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigeria’s #1 news app

He also commended the former President Goodluck Jonathan for his statesmanship by conceding defeat even before the final results of the Presidential Election was declared, describing it as unusual in Africa.

EU chief election observer to Nigeria Fisas meets Oyegun, Makarfi over preparation for 2019 elections
APC national chairman, Chief John Oyegun in a group picture with EU chief election observer to Nigeria Fisas and other members of his delegation

Responding, Senator Makarfi welcomed the visitors and assured them of the PDP’s cooperation concerning the proposed recommendations by the European Union Observer Mission (EOM).

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that

Who is Nigeria's greatest president ever? - on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit.ng

Tags:
Online view pixel