Wilson Adekumola
The European Union Election Observation Mission has reassured its oath to remain neutral in the Feb. 25 and March 11 General Elections in Nigeria remains sacrosanct adding that noting would make them compromise their mandate or oath taken to be neutral in the election.
The EU Election Observation Mission led by Mr Robert Hall and Diana Ferrari made the pledge during a visit to the Founder and Spiritual Leader of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, Leader Olumba-Olumba Obuh in Calabar. NAN reports.
While commending the spiritual leader for his sacrificial efforts in settling disputes among families and communities, he said their mission on Sunday during the visit, Hall, became necessary that they should pay visit to the the spiritual leader.
“We are election observers on assignment to Cross River and Akwa Ibom and we received good reports on the spiritual leader and his large followers he has influenced positively in Nigeria.
“Since we are to educate the electorate on the need to participate in the general election by casting their votes, there is need for us to visit the Leader of BCS.
“Speaking about neutrality during the election, nothing can make us violate our mandate or the oath taken to be neutral in the election,” he said.
In response, Obu expressed his excitement over their visit and said he will afford them the desired cooperation adding that the forthcoming election was very important to Nigerians but that he had no preferred presidential candidate.
He told the EU delegation that he has urged his followers to freely exercise their franchise by voting for the candidate of their choice.
“I urge Nigerians to conduct themselves peacefully during and after the general election. This election must be devoid of vote buying, rigging, violence and killings.
“On EU’s request to know more about BCS, my mission and teachings border on love, forgiveness, peace and unity of all races,” he said.
He promised the EU observers that they would be protected throughout their stay in Nigeria, adding that he would gladly welcome them again since they promised to return to the organisation in continuation of their voter education.
