PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT AND AFRICAN UNION PRE-ELECTION MISSION HOLDS MEETING WITH STAKEHOLDERS AHEAD OF NIGERIA'S ELECTIONS

The President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), H. E.  Chief Fortune Charumbira with the AU Pre-election Mission to Nigeria has held a meeting with the Inspector General of Police of Nigeria at the Police headquarters on the readiness of the security agencies to ensure a violence-free election.

The mission forms part of a constructive approach of preventive diplomacy in order to exchange views with key role players in Nigeria ahead of the Presidential, House of Representatives, and Senate elections slated for February 2023.

 

The AU Pre-election Assessment and Special Political Mission aim to pave the way for a creditable, peaceful, and acceptable electoral process by all actors, in line with continental and international norms and standards of democratic elections.

 

In this regard, the delegation is engaging with Nigerian National institutions and relevant stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (NEC), Ministry of Justice, National Assembly, National Human Rights Commission, National Council of Civic Education, Office of the National Security, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defence, National Anti-corruption Bodies, Political Parties, Civil Society Organizations, and Media partners.

 

H.E Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the legislative arm of the Africa Union (AU) was solicited by the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) to participate in the AU Pre-election Assessment and Special Political Mission to the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 27 November to 3 December 2022. He joins a high-level delegation comprised of distinguished members of the African Union Panel of the Wise and African Union Commission (AUC) Senior Officials. 

 

The involvement of the PAP, represented at the highest level of its leadership, demonstrates how the institution’s commitment to reinvent and reposition itself within the AU’s democratic governance architecture has resonated positively throughout the entire continental organization. In addition to giving a voice to the African peoples and the Diaspora, the PAP is tasked with promoting the principle of human rights and democracy in Africa. Africa’s Parliament also seeks to encourage good governance, transparency, and accountability in the AU Member States.

 

“I’m honoured to take part in this important assignment on behalf of the Pan-African Parliament. This shows that we have regained the confidence of our Union and we are regarded as a critical element in the implementation of the Africa Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance (ACDEG),” said H.E Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira.

 

Earlier in the week, H.E Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira delivered a message of solidarity to the opening of the 2nd Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament on 28 November 2022 in Abuja, Nigeria.

 

In his message, the PAP President described ECOWAS Parliament as a successful Parliamentary bloc, which has played a key role in promoting political and socio-economic integration of the West African community.“You are one of the best regional Parliamentary set-ups on the continent and everyone should copy from you. We came here to tell you that you are doing very well and you should continue on that path,” he pointed out.

 

H.E.Hon. Chief Charumbira expressed gratitude to the leadership of the ECOWAS Parliament for the active collaboration with the PAP, as he recalled that a common purpose guides the two institutions to serve the people of Africa. The PAP President touted a collaborative framework with ECOWAS Parliament on various areas including food security, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), education, and peace and security. He further called on West African Parliamentarians to advocate for African development, in line with Agenda 2063, based on African values and principles.

 

He informed the ECOWAS Parliament of the entrenchment of the principle of rotational leadership at the level of the Presidency of PAP. “This principle is part and parcel of the recently amended Rules of Procedure of the PAP. We have made sure that the principle of rotation is observed throughout all the structures including leadership of Regional Caucuses and Permanent Committees,” he emphasized. 

 

The 2nd Ordinary Session of the 5th Legislature of ECOWAS Parliament is dedicated to the consideration and presentation of the Consolidated Community Budget for the year 2023, Reports from Joint, Standing and Ad hoc Committees, Reports from Fact-Finding and Oversight Missions, Country Reports, and Interactive sessions. The Session will run until 18 December 2022.

Watch the full statement from the President of the PAP: https://bit.ly/3OLfciz