MONROVIA, Liberia – Former Liberian president, Ellen Sirleaf Johnson, on Tuesday evening arrived Nigeria in her official capacity as Head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Election Observation Mission (EOM) for the 2019 general election.
The election which commences with the Presidential election and National Assembly Election on February 16 is of great concern to the community.
As part of measures at deepening democracy in the subregion, ECOWAS usually sends a delegation of observers to monitor elections in member states, who in turn reports the credibility or otherwise of the polls to the leadership of the community.
Mrs Johnson, who arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport some minutes past 5pm, was received by the ECOWAS delegation led by Vice President, Mrs. Finda M. Koroma.
Upon her arrival, Sirleaf promised to help ensure that the election process in Nigeria is peaceful and successful. She made the promise when she was received by the Vice- President of ECOWAS Commission, Mrs. Finda Koroma, at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday.
She was also received by other members of the commission and some representatives of the ECOWAS Parliament.
“I hope to meet with political leaders, I want to be able to understand the role I have to play to make sure that I am well prepared to carry out the function.” She said.
“I am pleased that it is an ECOWAS assignment and I will be working with them (ECOWAS Commission) and they will guide me and I just expect that I will join all Nigerians to make sure that this whole process is so peaceful and successful.
“That is the purpose of my mission,” Sirleaf added.
The former Liberian president also said she would share in the findings of earlier missions and consult with those who had been on ground.
“I cannot make a statement till I have had an opportunity to be able to share in the findings of earlier missions, to consult with those who have been on ground,” said Sirleaf.
“At a later date, the ECOWAS Observer Mission will be fully engaged, will carry out its functions and speak when it is time to speak,” she stressed.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that electoral assistance to member states has been a vital part of the ECOWAS approach to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law in the sub-region.
With 10 days to the Presidential and National Assembly elections, observer groups from the international community have begun to arrive to monitor the electoral process.
While in Nigeria, the former Chair of ECOWAS, Sirleaf, is expected to visit Party stakeholders, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the new Inspector General of the Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, among others, today.
Sources: PUNCH and THIS DAY
