Contrary to political permutations, the forthcoming presidential election in Nigeria would not be predictable, a United States-based election monitoring organisation, National Endowment for Democracy has said.

While the 2023 election in Nigeria as “a consequential election,” the US agency commended Nigeria for the technology-driven electoral process and expressed optimism that the country would be the second largest democracy in the world in 2050.

The President and Chief Executive Officer of NED, Damon Wilson, stated these in an interview with journalists in Abuja during a meeting convened by Yiaga Africa to interact with other stakeholders on preparations for the 2023 general elections.

Sunday PUNCH reports that NED, a private, non-profit foundation dedicated to the growth and strengthening of democratic institutions around the world, was established in 1983 by the American Congress for the promotion of world democracy.


Each year, NED gives over 2,000 grants to support the projects of non-governmental groups abroad who are working for democratic goals in more than 100 countries.

Wilson said, “Nigeria is the fifth largest democracy in the world; it is on track that by 2050 to be the second largest democracy in the world, even bigger than the United States. But it has got a consequential election coming up in less than 40 days, building on seven elections since the transition.

“And we have seen in this time a Nigerian democracy that has ousted incumbents, where term limits have been enforced, peaceful transitions have taken place and now we have seen a country that is poised to have a more technically effective election that has bolstered the authority, the Independent National Electoral Commission, that is tapping technologies to help ensure greater credibility to vote at a time around the world, where things are kind of tough for democracy and elections in a lot of places are heading to roadblocks. Nigeria is offering an example of a world of progress and momentum.

“There is a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm and we are looking to understand that to learn from that and to see how we can help support that.”

He also pointed out that his organisation was not coming to predict who would win the elections or whether there would be a run-off.

Wilson, however, expressed concern over low voter turnouts during elections in Nigeria.

He added that Nigeria’s democracy was really evolving dramatically as the current presidential candidates have made it difficult for Nigerians to know who would win the election.

So what I have learned over and over again is even when democracies and elections are imperfect elections become an opportunity for people to organize and express themselves. I have seen over and over again surprises and so I don’t know what is going to happen.

“That is kind of a beautiful thing for Nigeria, the largest democracy in Africa, to be going into an election, and you don’t know what’s going to happen. That is democracy and action. It is exciting and we are going to watch this.”

Wilson also expressed concerns over the protracted insecurity situation across the country ahead of the elections.

He said, “I guess there are two things happening; one is the overall security situation which has been difficult in the country, whether it is been insurgency or terrorism or just banditry, kidnapping, other sources of instability that you know very well.

“But the truth is about 10,000 Nigerians who have died over the past years from security incidents, that is extraordinarily high, and it does create a difficult environment where will people feel that they have got the security to be able to vote?

“What I was briefed on election related violence, which is much less election related violence is serious because it is targeted towards elections that we have seen political actors who have been, in some cases killed other places intimidated, INEC offices attacked and so what was really interesting from the briefings we saw was that Nigerians are organizing to be able to track this to document it to report it, to take it to authorities to see if security forces are understanding where were their efforts to intimidate and voter turnout four years ago, they can anticipate that today.

“So while this is a major issue, no doubt that I am hearing from Nigerians. I also see a lot of Nigerians focused on this issue of how they can actually provide a greater sense of security, how they can be better prepared, how they can anticipate where there are problems.


“And so ultimately, this is going to be an issue for this election but I am hopeful that it won’t be an issue that will be so disruptive. That said, anybody needs to feel secure to express their vote. That is a sacrosanct act in any democracy.”

https://punchng.com/nigerias-election-not-predictable-us-agency/

Dem don tire to dey support Atiku.

They are indirectly projecting that Obi will win.

Ok

Lol, life of politics self😏

Even if it's very predictable, una go still say it's Unpredictable. So no need. Una know una selves. 🚶

It's predicted oo😏

We already have a winner which is "Peter obi.



All we're doing now is for 2027

With Peter Obi Nigerian 2013 election is predictable.
Obi is a goal!

They don’t want to burst the Andrew Liver salt bubbles of Obi supporters. Tinubu is the clear favorite and the next president. A new and prosperous Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu is coming on board.

.

All because of...
-Entrance of Obi brought hope
-Buhari's 8 years regime of sufferhead
-Social media has made Nigerians more informed
-Reduced chances of rigging due to BIVAS etc
-fielding of a balablu bulaba druggie by APC & controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket
....

OBI all the way

rayvelez:
OBI all the way

Obi ko kola ni.

We know God is a Nigeria, he will not allow Tinubu.

See guys the series of meetings going on between international bodies and tinubu is about tinubu playing by the book and avoiding electoral malpractices. He had been by them that if he's caught engaging in vote buying, election violence etc. He will be dealt with by the strong arm of the international laws. Very privy information am giving out.

USA Agency.