The pre-election fact finding mission to Nigeria which started on 1st November is expected to end on 15th November 2018. The aim is to gather all information on the conditions under which the elections shall be conducted.
In a letter from the ECOWAS Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, General Francis A. Behanzin, the team will collect pertinent information relating to the contesting candidates of political parties, meet all candidates, leaders of political parties, government authorities and other competent bodies, and as well gather any other useful information that may provide a clear picture of the situation relating to the upcoming electoral process.
The appointment of Mohamed N’Fah Alie Conteh came as a result of the credibility and level of independence and professionalism displayed by himself and his team during the recent General Elections in Sierra Leone.
It could be recalled that ahead of the country’s May 2018 national elections, the ECOWAS Pre-Election Fact-Finding Mission Team headed by Professor Yakubu, the INEC Chairman for Nigeria visited Sierra Leone in 2017 and went across the country and engaged stakeholders and key players before the elections took place.
According to the External Outreach Director for the National Electoral Commission (NEC), Albert Massaquoi, the appointment came at a time when a lot had been done on their part to ensure credibility. He pointed out that the just-concluded election was a plus on their part and that of the country.
Other members of the ECOWAS 6 man Nigeria pre-election team includes, Charlotte Osei, former Chair, Electoral Commission, Ghana, Joseph Colley, Director Operation IEC Gambia, Aderemi Aiibewa, Director Political Affairs, ECOWAS, Good Governance Division, ECOWAS, and Onyinye Onwuka, head of the Political Affairs and International Cooperation Division, ECOWAS.
