Help The Economy of Nigeria And Stay Out of Our Political Affairs:Wike to EU.

Mr.Nyeosm Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has encouraged the European Union (EU) to support Nigeria's attempts to expand her economy and to refrain from meddling in domestic issues in the nation.

This statement was made when Ms. Samuela Isopi,the EU Ambassador to Nigeria paid him a visit On Monday at his office in Abuja.

The minister underlined his scepticism on the EU's stance, which he defined as "interference" with Nigeria's domestic affairs, in response to the EU Election Observation Mission Report on the 2023 General Elections.

He emphasised that the EU mission's assertion that the government suppressed the opposition was false given that it lacked the resources to cover the entire nation.

“I do seriously take exception to its stand because we thought there is no need for you to interfere in Nigeria.

“Rather, you observe and make a recommendation, but your interference came when there were election petition tribunals going on.

“Take Rivers state for example. I ask. How many of you were in Rivers State to visit the 6,886 – or thereabouts – polling units?

“If you saw some infractions in about 20 polling units, is that enough to make a general conclusion?

“I felt that as the sitting governor, you were trying to indict me for not allowing the state to have a free democratic process. And that is not the correct thing to do,” he added.

However, the minister emphasised that the current focus should be on how the EU can help Nigeria expand her economy and generate jobs to improve the quality of life for her population.

In response, Isopi outlined how the European Union Election Observation Mission produced the report on the results of the elections.

She continued by saying that the Nigerian government had requested the impartial observer team that the EU had sent.

“The purpose of the mission, and many other missions in other countries, is to assess the process of the elections in tandem with international agreements and treaties signed and ratified by Nigeria.

“The purpose was not to determine whether the elections were legitimate or not but to analyse the process and afterwards make recommendations.

“And the report offered 26 recommendations,” she said. (NAN)