2019: Nigeria gets €26.5m EU grant for electoral process

The European Union (EU) yesterday in Abuja announced a 26.5m euro grant to support Nigeria’s electoral process through promoting transparent, inclusive and credible elections.

The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Ketil Karlsen, made the disclosure at the formal launch of the EU Support Programme to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) being funded under the 11th European Development Programme (EDF) over a five-year period. According to Karlsen, the overall objective of the EU-SDGN was to contribute to reinforcement of democracy in Nigeria through building strong, effective and legitimate democratic institutions.

“Ahead of the 2019 general elections, Nigeria is at a pivotal moment that allows the country to take important steps to consolidate democracy and strengthen the electoral process,” he said.

“The EU continues to partner with Nigeria in the on-going reform process with a view to strengthening the capacity to conduct well-managed elections with ample participation of all Nigerians. For this to happen, all must contribute, from the key institutions to the political parties, candidates, media and civil society,” he said. He however said that the project would be anchored in the priority areas identified by the Nigerian government with collaboration of other stakeholders.

INEC Chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu said 74 million voters had been registered so far ahead of 2019 elections.

He commended the EU’s support initiative, which he said would promote rule of law, good governance and democracy in Nigeria.