Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has said the Commission does not receive direct funding from the European Union (EU).
Prof. Yakubu gave the clarification when he played host to the newly appointed EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, His Excellency Gautier Mignot, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, on Tuesday.
As against the growing public interest in how the Commission receives funding from foreign partners, the INEC boss stated that it does not receive direct funding from the EU or other development partners.
He further disclosed that external support is limited to specific technical assistance, consultancy services, and capacity-building programs facilitated through implementing partners selected by the donors.
Prof. Yakubu said, “The EU and other development partners provide indirect support in areas such as the publication of reports, retreats, stakeholder engagement, and consultancy. Their support does not involve any direct funding of core electoral activities like voter registration, production of PVCs, training and remuneration of ad hoc staff, or electoral logistics. These activities remain the sovereign responsibility of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, Amb. Mignot commended Nigeria for the progress made in democratic governance, saying the country’s democracy is vibrant and a key pillar of stability in the region.
“Without a credible electoral system that enjoys the trust of citizens and stakeholders, there can be no good democracy,” he said.
Amb Mignot reiterated the EU’s commitment to respecting Nigeria’s sovereignty while providing expertise to strengthen the electoral process.
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