Retired president Uhuru Kenyatta has been picked to lead a 90-member African Union observation team for the General Election in Nigeria set for February 25.
A statement issued by the AU on Tuesday said Kenyatta will lead the short-term Election Observation Mission which comprises members from various member states of the union, as well as civil society organisations, among others.
“The short-term election observation mission comprises ninety (90) members drawn from various AU Member States comprising representatives of Election Management Bodies, civil society organisations, independent experts, women and youth as well as AU Organs, notably, the Pan African Parliament and Permanent Representatives Committee,” it read in part.
The objectives of the mission include providing an accurate and impartial assessment of the electoral process, including the degree to which the conduct of the elections meets regional, continental and international standards for democratic elections.
The observers will also offer recommendations for improvement of future elections based on the findings and demonstrate AU’s solidarity and support towards consolidation of democracy, peace, stability and development in Nigeria.
“The AUEOM will engage with various stakeholders as well as observe the polling process. Based on the findings, AUEOM will issue its preliminary statement on the electoral process on 27 February 2023 in Abuja,” the statement added.
As the West African state goes to the polls in ten days, it has been plunged into crisis with dire shortages of cash and fuel, as well as insecurity.
Nearly 100 million people will vote for the successor to President Muhammadu Buhari, who has been leading Africa’s most populous for two terms.