2023: EU Election Observation Mission promises neutrality, visits Leader Olumba Obu

By Sixtus Uket (Calabar)

The European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission, led by the duo of Robert Hall and Diana Ferrari, has pledged not to violate their mandate or their oath of neutrality in Nigeria’s general election holding on Saturday, February 25 and Saturday, March 11, 2023.

The Mission made the pledge when the team visited the Spiritual Leader of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS) with International headquarters in Calabar, Cross River State, His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu.

They explained that it was imperative that they stopped over to see the Spiritual Leader because from their intelligence, he had much positive influence over his mammoth adherents in Nigeria and abroad.

Leader of the team, Robert Hall, commended the Spiritual Leader for sacrificial efforts at uniting families and communities.

“We are election observers on assignment to Cross River and Akwa Ibom States. We received good reports about the spiritual leader and his large followers and noted that BCS is an influential community with a very large congregation in Nigeria.

“Since we are to educate the electorate on the need to participate in the Nigerian general election by casting their votes, there was the need for us to visit the Leader of BCS,” he stated.

Hall further assured that the EU Observation Mission would remain neutral in the discharge of their mandate.

“Nothing can make us to violate our mandate or the oath taken not to be partisan in the election,” he said.

Responding, the spiritual leader expressed happiness at their visit and promised to accord them the desired cooperation.

He also described the forthcoming general elections in the country as very important to Nigerians, adding, however, that he has no preferred presidential candidate.

The Spiritual Leader further informed the EU delegation that he had advised his adherents to freely exercise their franchise for whoever the Spirit ministers to them.

He sued for a smooth and peaceful conduct of the general election, stressing that it must be devoid of vote buying, rigging, violence and killings.

On the EU request to know more about the organization, the Spiritual Leader said his mission and teachings border on love, forgiveness, peace and unity of all races.

He assured the EU Observers of their safety throughout their stay in Nigeria, adding that he would gladly receive them again since they promised to return to the organization in continuation of their election education.

He informed that except in Russia, he has worship centres in several countries of the world.

The highpoint of the visit was a guided facility tour round the sprawling complex for the EU delegation led by a high priest of the fold, Justice Osai Ahiakwo before their departure.