The presidency has rejected the European Union’s, findings on the 2023 general elections, dismissing them as baseless and unfounded.
Dele Alake, the special adviser on communications, strategy, and special duties to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, issued a statement on Sunday expressing strong objections to the EU’s alleged attempts to undermine the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the election process.
Alake emphasized that the presidential election, which saw President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerge as the winner, was conducted in a transparent, fair, and highly organized manner, surpassing previous elections since Nigeria’s transition to civilian rule in 1999.
He recalled how they had alerted the nation in May about a plan by a continental multi-lateral institution to discredit the 2023 general elections, particularly targeting the presidential election won by Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC.
Expressing disbelief, Alake questioned the audacity of any foreign organization to impose its own yardstick and assessment as the sole determinant of election credibility and transparency, labeling it preposterous and unconscionable.
Highlighting their awareness of the European Union’s machinations to sustain their biased claims about the election outcomes, Alake clarified that there was no substantial evidence provided by the EU or any other foreign or local organization that could challenge the integrity of the 2023 election results.
Alake criticized the EU’s assessment for its limited scope, with only 11 analysts in Abuja and 40 observers spread across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory monitoring the elections. He questioned the credibility of their conclusions, considering the vast number of polling units in Nigeria, which exceeded 176,000.
Expressing doubts about the EU’s independence, Alake suggested that their report relied heavily on rumors, uninformed social media commentaries, and biased opinions from opposition figures. He further contended that the EU’s final report appeared to perpetuate the same biased stance as their preliminary report released in March, casting doubt on its objectivity.
Alake vehemently rejected any insinuations or claims insinuating that the 2023 elections were fraudulent, emphasizing the credibility, fairness, and peacefulness of the process.
