Society for Women and Youths Affairs (SWAYA) received the delegation of European Union Elections Observation Mission at her office, #5 Uyo Street, Ruomumasi, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
The delegation came to present a copy of the Union’s first preliminary statement/report for the February 23rd Presidential and National Assembly Elections.
In their presentation, the team told the Executive Directors of both Society for Women and Youths Affairs (SWAYA) and Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC) their concerns about electoral malpractice and violence in Nigeria which they called for collaboration from both organizations to take actions that promote a free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.
Responding, the Executive Director of SWAYA, Stella Amanie told the European delegation that women and youth are the most affected by undemocratic practices in Nigeria and appealed to them to beam their light on activities of politicians and major political parties in the country. She further ceased the opportunity to introduced the programs of SWAYA to the delegation and how programs especially in the area of alternative livelihoods have impacted women and youths in Rivers State. Finally, she said that she has no doubt that their observation will strengthen electoral institution and bring about dividend of democracy in Nigeria.
Also speaking, Comr. Fyneface Dumnamen Fyneface who lead the team to SWAYA Skills Hub told the European delegation that electoral violence in Nigeria especially in the Niger Delta is on the increase based on the available statistical evidence and appealed to the delegation not to be bias in their report no matter the pressure from politicians and government. Finally, he thanked them for their interest in the democratic development in Nigeria.