Ishaq Akintola, the executive director of MURIC, referred to the study as having an imperialist agenda in a statement he released on Tuesday in Abuja.
The final report of the European Union observer team about the general election in Nigeria in 2023 has drawn criticism from the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).
Ishaq Akintola, the executive director of MURIC, referred to the study as having an imperialist agenda in a statement he released on Tuesday in Abuja.
Barry Andrews, the head of the EU EOM, came under fire from Mr. Akintola for releasing a report that was extremely critical of Nigeria’s electoral process.
He said the article appeared to be intended to sow chaos throughout the nation in order to gain political and economic sway during times of upheaval.
“We are nonplussed by this blatant attempt to push an imperialist agenda down the throat of Nigerians,” said Mr Akintola. “The report is a premeditated attempt at inciting anarchy in the country with the hope of gaining political and economic influence at the outbreak of commotion.”
Mr Akintola argued that the EU EOM report starkly contrasted the reports produced by other election monitoring groups, such as the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI).
He pointed out that the NDI/IRI’s report, led by former Malawian president Joyce Banda and consisted of 40 observers from 20 countries, did not create any confusion or discord.
Mr Akintola added,
“Why is the EU EOM report a different cup of tea? Is this group trying to tell the world that the Commonwealth Observer Group led by Thabo Mbeki, which also covered the elections, is blind? The African Union had its team, and so did the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) observer team led by Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan.”
Mr Akintola urged Nigerians not to allow the EU EOM report to destabilise the country, alleging that imperialists would not provide guidance that benefits Nigeria but rather attempt to sow division.
(NAN)