Dear Mr. President, Sir,
Calvary Greetings from The Waterside, with a deep sense of respect, duty and humility all the time, everytime.
The latest report from The European Observation Mission (EOM), and its Follow-up Mission, currently in Nigeria, speaks volumes in concise points, so to speak and deserves your esteemed attention, Sir.
The European Observation Mission on the 2023 election, and its salient recommendations requires detailed study –
*First, from the presidency
*Second, from The National Assembly
*Third, from The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
*Four, the political parties that will participate in the 2027 election
*Five, the security agencies in various departments and layers of government.
*Six, the recognized Civil Society Organizations that are profiled to be genuinely concerned and working assiduously, without seeking unnecessary attention to oil their personal gusto for cheap publicity and political patronage from political parties and politicians, contesting, or, not.
Seven, political parties, their leaders, political foot soldiers, including, but not not limited to party agents: collation agents, polling agents; observers as well as party agents that will follow electoral materials from INEC offices to Police Stations in all 774 local governments in the 36 states in the country to protect the interest of their political parties;
*Eight, The Media
*Nine, this is very tricky, but have to be done to make assurance surer. No matter what: No matter the hoopla, din and acebic criticisms that will follow, Mr. President, please, ensure that domestic observers of the 2027 election are carefully selected and trained to monitor the conduct of the 2027 election.
They should be well- trained to monitor the series of elections and how to write their reports without fear, favour, and, importantly, without any atom of bias, such that their views can form a veritable template for the 2031 election.
Mr. President, Sir, please, remember this: The new INEC Chairman, that Divine Grace has placed on your Presidential shoulders to appoint, through nomination, and, then, approval by The National Assembly should be somebody who can fly like an Eagle and perch on a tree, so high, that politicians and their peripatetic agents and foot soldiers cannot colonise into the political cocoon of their principals.
Remember, too, that by the happenstance of history, you will appoint just one INEC national chairman, because as a sitting president, even if you win the 2027 election, you will still vacate the presidency in 2031. Therefore, as you very well know, the appointment of an INEC chairman presents a unique opportunity that cannot be cast away by cheap insinuations, propaganda, or, speakly glibly from Dollarized activism borne out of patent animosity of whatever colouration. Why? Only you can appoint and no one else.
Significantly, Sir, remember that as the president of Nigeria, the bulk keeps falling in your front. You will have to put together a budget that will enable INEC, under your watch, to succeed in the true sense of the word.
Your political opponents will talk about inflated budget even when, no one, knows how events will play out prior to the election, or, even after.
And since the bulk stops at your table, please, do the needful in the utmost interest of Nigerians, not politicians; not activists, media, or, any pressure group for that matter.
INEC has complained in the past of the paucity of funds, few weeks to the commencement of a national election, only for the dire situation to be handled with the desperate solution of a slapdash supplementary budget, courtesy of the National Assembly.
Mr. President, Sir, expect more din from your political opponents when you appoint a new INEC chairman; and even far more when the budget comes from INEC to the presidency, to prosecute the 2027 election.
Mr. President, Sir, just remain focused. Why? The same people berating your government today about inflation, over-spending on government projects, will be the same persons, or, people, that will attempt to condemn and vilify your government for allegedly starving INEC of funds to enable the electoral body prepare maximally to enable it conduct a free, fair, peaceful and transparent election.
As it is, from the tone of the EU Election Observation Mission (EOM), led by Barry Andrews, Member of the European Parliament and
former Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) for the 2023 polls, it is presumed you know and understand the enormity of the task before you, already.
In the first place, you will have to choose an INEC chairman that has the integrity, boldness and courage and who cannot be intimidated by politicians in various hue, no matter how popular, highly influential, connected, and well-heeled financially.
So, Mr. President, Sir, you are by Divine Grace standing on the threshold of posterity. Please, don’t allow anyone to take undue credit for any failings, or, lapses. God forbid!
In the second place, your government will have to present the EU (EOM) Report on the 2023 election, including the Certified True Copies (CTC), of the judgments of courts that were given in furtherance of political clarity in the 2023 election to the new INEC chairman and his support team that will move in to conduct the much talked about 2027 election.
These documents will assist the government and the new INEC chairman when he resumes at his office.
In the third place, the government should request for the White Paper that contains a review of the full EOM Report. Maybe, that is what Mr. Andrews of the EU refers to as “The EU Follow-up Mission of the 2023 election.”
This report should be attached to the main EU (EOM) Report. That is to say the first three months will be a pensive period of undiluted prepping time for the INEC chairman, deserving of a very close working attitude with the presidency, National Assembly, security agencies,
relevant institutions: the academia, media, political parties and stakeholders. To the new INEC chairman and his support team; it will be like going back to school, again, because egregious matters of state are involved.
Mr. President, Sir, you are imbued with the gift of not taking anything for granted: no problem is too big; no problem is too small, in matters of state and in the execution of state policies.
Reading the splinters of both EU Reports: The EU (EOM) of the 2023 election and its Follow-up Mission Report, an amalgam of the salient points raised by both reports will help in deciphering the complex literary portraiture of both EU reports as it seems.
Clearly clear, Barry Andrews spoke unhingedly and pointedly with
a voice and posture that underlines the backing of the EU countries. So, Nigeria needs to harken to what they are saying and act, accordingly and appropraitely.
Mr. President, Sir, In this wise, put out the drums; put out the basins; put out the buckets; put out any container you can lay your hands upon before the dirty brown droplets of man-made contorted rains comes down from the cloudy sky of political shenanigans doubled by market square activism oiled copiously by foreign denominations.
Why? Mr. President, Sir, because your are also vying for the presidency on the platform of the APC, in 2027. Your political opponents, pressure groups, third party campaigners, already mushrooming in many states; political activists, of all hues; the academia; the media, and all the leaders of political parties, and essentially, the electorates will judge your government and the INEC chairman, appointed by your government from these prisms.
Now, this, Mr. President, Sir:
** The EU
says “Nigeria’s democracy is at risk of sliding into crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections unless urgent electoral reforms are implemented without delay.”
** Leader of the The EU (EOM) Report on the 2023 election, Barry Andrews, Member of the European Parliament and former Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) for the 2023 polls, says Nigeria’s progress on electoral reforms has been “modest at best, dangerously close to stagnation.”
Mr. President, Sir, without doubt, this is a poor report card on the ability, preparedness and willingness of Nigeria to conduct a free, fair, peaceful and transparent election, pointing towards 2027. Remember, you didn’t appoint the INEC chairman that conducted the 2023 election. But as a sitting president, all eyes are on you.
The EU: “Our evaluation indicates that progress in implementing the recommendations has been modest thus far, and it is in serious danger of falling to critically low levels.”
“Avoiding this outcome will require political will from legislators and urgent, coordinated actions by relevant institutions.”
Mr. President, Sir, your willingness to reform the now vilified electoral process in Nigeria will begin with the new INEC chairman to be appointed by your government in November.
This, indeed, is an onerous task for any president in the world. Well… It is your job, Sir. You asked for it, and here it is. The bulk stops at your table. Nigerians can recommend, suggest names, but no one can choose anybody for you. It is your right, as delicate as it is. Please, Mr. President, do it with clinical panache, no matter whose ox is gored.
“According to the EU Follow-Up Mission, of the 23 priority reforms proposed after Nigeria’s troubled 2023 elections, only one has been fully implemented.”
“Two others are partially adopted, eight remain ongoing, nine untouched, and three too early to assess, warning that “this lethargy threatens to derail preparations for 2027.”
“Time is running out. The window is closing. Without real political will, Nigerians will face the same disputes, mistrust and chaos that plagued the last elections.”
Mr. President, Sir, here is a golden opportunity before you to show your leadership qualities to Nigerians and the world.
The new INEC chairman should be someone that is willing to embark on these reforms, liaising with relevant agencies and institutions.
“The EU outlined six critical reforms that must be delivered well in advance of the 2027 election: “INEC cannot operate on shifting ground. It needs a clear, stable legal framework well in advance of the elections. Timing is everything.”
Mr. President, Sir, the above position of the EU (EOM) Report, shows, clearly, that the EU did not trust the outgoing INEC regime. The report speaks for itself. So, you can appoint a new chairman that is not averse to change in the positive meaning of the word.
Again, this: “The Follow-Up Mission highlighted contradictions between manual and electronic collation of results, pointing to a recent Supreme Court ruling that both must now be applied.”
**”Critics fear this dual system could re-open loopholes for manipulation.”
“Electoral impunity also loomed large. “Vote buying; violence and intimidation remain unchecked. Prosecutions are so few they do nothing to deter criminal activity.”
Mr. President, Sir, how the new INEC chairman will handle the issue of manual and electronic collation of votes remains crucial.
The new INEC chairman and his new support team that will come in with him, or, her, will have to brainstorm and agree on what to do about manual or electronic collation of votes.
After due consultations with relevant stakeholders, the INEC chairman and his team will have to seek for a clear-cut pathway for the collation of votes. At that time, the new INEC chairman and his team will have to choose how votes will be collated, seeking the support of the legislature and the judiciary to establish what method it thinks is best for Nigeria.
“On media freedoms, the EU demanded stronger protections: “A free press is non-negotiable in any democracy. Journalists must be shielded, not silenced.”
“Responding to concerns about foreign interference, Andrews dismissed suggestions that the EU was imposing reforms on Nigeria.”
“This is about democracy for Nigerians, not outsiders. Civil society has made these same demands. Nigeria itself has observed elections in Ireland. This is reciprocity, not intrusion.”
Mr. President, Sir, quite frankly, on the EU’s position that the international body “was not in anyway trying to impose electoral reforms on Nigeria”, Mr. President, Sir, I disagree most respectfully.
Our literate population in Nigeria is far in miniscule gradation to what obtains in the European Union. So, the issue of manual, or, electronic collation in Europe and Nigeria cannot be on the same pedestal. Light (energy to power electronic components) here in Nigeria is epileptic. Will INEC provide solar facilities in all the polling units in all the wards in 774 local governments in Nigeria? Even if you provide about 4,000 solar facilities, there must be support backup of the same quantity, or, even more. What of if the rains comes down during voting?
I suggest, Mr. President that the incoming INEC chairman, whoever he is; whatever part of Nigeria he, or, she, comes from should choose one of the aforementioned two collation methods: Manual, or, electronic collation. It will be incongruous for Manual and Electronic collation to used together in one fell swoop.
Mr. President, Sir, if the recent Supreme Court
judgement, referred to by the EU, stipulates that either of the two options, manual and electronic collation, can be used for the authentication of the 2027 election results, it is a baggage too, too, hydra-headed and complex for majority of our unlettered population.
To eliminate and reduce undue pressure on the electoral body, one system should be adopted in the collation of votes and should be embedded and well spelt out in the new amendment to the electoral law passed in tandem with the constitution of Nigeria as altered.
Mr. President, Sir, The EU position is clear. In an attempt to flow along with both collation patterns: using both simultaneously, Manual and Electronic, will be entirely
unwise, unfruitful and will constitute a vicious electoral trap that will deny millions of Nigerians of their legitimate votes.
Mr. President, Sir, manual collation of votes has been the phenomenon, here for decades. Yes. Nigeria has to move forward in consonant with modern (new age) electoral progression.
However, we have to do so in accordance with a system that is in tandem with the entrenched existential methodology, that over decades past, have accommodated, and can still be reliable without rancour and bitterness.
The 2027 election as hinted by the EU Electoral Observation Mission, (EOM), requires utmost concentration.
Mr. President, Sir, now this: “EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot in his closing remark reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to Nigeria’s democratic journey, stressing that while the EU can provide assistance, implementation rests squarely with Nigerian leaders.” In clear terms, Nigeria will have to devise an electoral system that befits its people.”
Mr. President, Sir, this is my humble position. After all the beratement, “Nigeria”, according to the EU, “will have to devise an electoral system that befits its people.” Now, we are back home, meaning, Nigeria, at all times, will have to carry its watering can, alone.
EU: “We are fully backing Nigeria through our democratic governance support programme. But these are recommendations that Nigeria must own. The credibility of your democracy depends on it.”
Mr. President, while anyone, any man and woman of goodwill can provide electoral assistance to Nigeria, “implementation of the assistance”, so-called, rest on Nigerian leaders.” Clearly, the duty and responsibility of a free, fair, peaceful and transparent election has, again being shifted to “Nigerian leaders”.
The EU surmised: “We are fully backing Nigeria through our democratic governance support programme. But these are recommendations that Nigeria must own.” The credibility of your choice of a new national chairman for INEC, and new legislation, depends on you. Mr. President, Sir, the sustenance of our democracy depends on your altruistic actions in furtherance of national development and no one else from any other clime or planet can dictate to you.
“Mignot clarified that occasional diplomatic visits to off-cycle elections should not be mistaken for full EU observation missions: “These are not missions with the same weight, expertise, or resources. Nigerians must understand the difference.”
“The EU Follow-Up Mission will remain in Nigeria for a week before submitting its progress report and recommendation.”
“But its message is crystal clear: “without sweeping reforms, the 2027 elections risk being mired in the same chaos, mistrust, and legal disputes that plagued 2023.”
Mr. President, Sir, again, I disagree, most respectfully. Yes. Nigeria needs to reform and upgrade its electoral reform system, but whatever electoral reform that is made should align with our people as we as we camel through the (rough patch) of national development.
Forward ever, backwards never. Nigeria will move forward like other civilized nations of the world. Nigeria is not a banana Republic.
Mr. President, Sir, there will be no “chaos”, “mistrust” as a fallout of the aftermath of the 2027 election. The 2027 election will be far better than that of 2023 election. Legal disputes are allowed and anyone is free to go to court.
It is the duty and responsibility of the government in power to ensure through those he has mandated to superintend the election to do their jobs diligently, provided the electoral body is well-funded; staffs well-schooled and equipped with modern technology to perform within the ambits of the law; doing all that is judiciously required to scale Nigeria over the self-erected hurdles of electoral misdemeanor.
Let all politicians and political parties do all that are legally required of them; let the contestants do all that they are required to do; and let the voters behave well at the polling booths; vote peacefully and go home peacefully to the warm embrace of their families.
If INEC officials, the politicians, their agents and their privies do all that is right, no one will write copious letters and volumes of petitions to multilateral organizations and leaders of foreign countries to invite them to interfer in our domestic electoral affairs.
I remain, a bonafide Nigerian; the ordinary man next door; and to Almighty God in Heaven, indeed, be the Glory.
Sincerely,
NATH OMAME, Jr.
Sunday, October 5, 2025.
