• By George Mgbeleke

The new head of European Union, to Nigeria and the ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot has declared that European Union committed the sum of 19billion euros as support projects to Nigeria elections.

He warned that without a credible electoral system enjoying the trust of the citizens and the stakeholders, there can’t be a good democracy.

This is as Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC),Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has clarified that the commission does not receive any direct funding from EU and other foreign Agencies to conduct its elections.

Amb Mignot who was at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday on a courtesy visit, disclosed that the Union only provide a middle of a project of support to democracy and governance in Nigeria with the 19 billion euros and require more cooperation.

According to him,”But it’s not all about money. We also have regular colleagues, along with other members of the diplomatic community, going to follow the development of elections at federal or state level.

“And of course, we have electoral observation missions, like the one we had in the last election, in particular the federal elections in 2023.

“And we will assume a follow-up on this electoral observation. And we also coordinate the group of flag-burning countries.

“Other democracies also bringing their cooperation to Nigeria. And we are very proud to do this at the EU delegation.

“So my message is really to tell you that in these troubled times, in this fast-evolving world, we all need a constant and faithful partner.”

In his response, Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof.Mahmood Yakubu while pledging to accord the same relationship the commission had the out gone EU delegation in Nigeria to the new Head of EU his successor, adding” we look forward to sustaining the same relationship with you to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral democracy.”

He said,”We welcome the EU’s assurance of continuous engagement and collaboration with the Commission as we approach the third phase of the European Union-Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) under which funding support is provided to several institutions and groups that play a role in democracy and governance in Nigeria from INEC to the National Assembly, the judiciary, political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, the media and the National Peace Committee.

“The EU Ambassador and the INEC Chairman serve as co-chairmen of the Steering Committee of the EU-SDGN initiative.

Specifically, Prof Yakubu said,”I would like to seize this opportunity to clarify a matter over which there is some misunderstanding in certain quarters.

“For the record, the Commission does not receive direct funding and we do not have an account into which donor funds are warehoused.

“The EU and other development partners provide indirect support in areas such as the publication of reports, retreats, engagement with stakeholders, as well as consultancy and technical support services in various areas, through the implementing partners selected and appointed by them.

“Their support does not involve any direct funding of core electoral activities of the Commission such as voter registration, production of PVCs, training and renumeration of ad hoc staff, electoral logistics, and the procurement of sensitive materials, including election technology. These activities remain the sovereign responsibility of the Federal Government of Nigeria.’