Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has been picked to head a 90-member African Union Election Observation Team for election in Nigeria.
Through a statement by the African Union, Uhuru 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 objectives of the mission according to AU are to provide an accurate and impartial assessment of the electoral process including the degree to which the conduct of the elections meet regional, continental and international standards for democratic elections.
The team 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.
The mission draws its mandate from various AU instruments, most importantly: the 2002 AU Guidelines for Elections Observation and Monitoring Missions; the 2002 OAU/AU Declaration on Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa.
Nigerians will go to the polls on February 25, 2023 to select their next president who will succeed outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari.
