Uhuru Lands in Nigeria to Lead African Union's Election Observer Team

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday landed in Nigeria ahead of the country’s general election on Saturday.

Kenyatta, who ruled Kenya between 2013 and 2022, was appointed to lead a 90-member African Union Election Observation Mission to Nigeria.

“The mission draws its mandate from various AU instruments and will be supported by experts from the African Union Commission (AUC),” Kenyatta said in a statement on Tuesday.

“The AUEOM which comprises of 90 members drawn from various AU member States will, among other tasks, engage different stakeholders as well as observe and provide an accurate and impartial assessment of the electoral process in Africa’s most populous country.”

Last week, the African Union announced that Kenyatta will head the short-term Election Observation Mission, which comprises members from various member states of the union, as well as civil society organizations, among others.

The objectives of the mission include providing an accurate and impartial assessment of the electoral process, including the degree to which the conduct of the election meets regional, continental and international standards for democratic elections.

The team will also offer recommendations for improvement of future elections based on the findings and demonstrate AU's solidarity and support towards consolidation of democracy, peace, stability and development in Nigeria.

Nearly 100 million Nigerians are expected to vote for the successor to President Muhammadu Buhari, who has been leading the West African nation since 2015.

Voters will also elect the Vice President, Members of the Senate as well as House of Representatives.