SRSG ANNADIF concludes his visit to Nigeria

6 Oct 2022

SRSG ANNADIF concludes his visit to Nigeria

Dakar, 6 October 2022- The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mahamat Saleh ANNADIF, today concluded a two-day working visit to the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

The visit was part of the UN's support for the organization of general elections, scheduled for 2023.

The Special Representative met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyema, the Chairman of the National Peace Committee and former Head of State, Abdusalami Abubakar. He also met with the presidential candidates of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso. 

Recalling his last visit in June, M. ANNADIF reaffirmed the continued commitment of the United Nations to a stronger partnership with Nigeria as it prepares for the 2023 general elections.   

In his various meetings, the Special Representative stressed that peaceful, transparent, and credible elections in 2023 will reinforce Nigeria's leadership role in West Africa, the continent and beyond.

He commended the steadfast commitment of all stakeholders to the organization of a peaceful, credible, and transparent election, demonstrated by the signing of the National Peace Agreement by the presidential candidates on 29 September.

He encouraged Nigerian stakeholders to remain mobilized and take the necessary measures to facilitate the voting of women and young people. He also recognized the potential for the 2023 general elections to be a source of inspiration for peace and democracy to other countries in the sub-region.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel reiterated the commitment of the United Nations to continue to work closely with the government and people of Nigeria to consolidate peace, development, and democracy.