Extension of AU Commission Elections opportunity for a fresh look at candidates – VP Osinbajo

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The 27th Ordinary session of the African Union ended yesterday in Kigali, Rwanda with leaders of the continent affirming their commitment to Human Rights, with especial focus on women, and also agreeing to a financing model that makes AU member states more directly responsible for the sustenance of the organization.

According to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, the summit afforded African leaders the opportunity to review their different national programmes in view of the agenda of the summit, noting that the efforts and programmes of the Buhari administration were well received.

Said he: "I think we 're in a very good place in respect of our human rights agenda as well as in women's rights, everyone endorsed the lots of serious efforts that we are making in that respect."

Osinbajo also added that there was appreciation from other leaders regarding the 500 Billion Naira Social Intervention Programme of the Buhari administration which focuses primarily on women, including the one million market women, traders and artisans who will get macro-credit loans.

"I think people do appreciate that ...and our efforts on Social Protection," Prof. Osinbajo observed in a chat with the media at the end of the summit yesterday.

On issues of peace and security, the Vice President said the summit was also useful, and Nigeria has received "tremendous support from everywhere."

"Every one is in full support of the efforts that have been made against Boko Haram and other various insurgents and various problems in the whole of Africa. "

The summit also resolved to hold new elections for new officials of the AU Commission, AUC, as the voting process on Monday could not produce election results that met the required majority according to the AU rules. The AUC is the secretariat of the African Union and led by a Chairperson, and supported by a deputy chairperson and 8 commissioners.

Speaking after the elections in Kigali, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo described the process as fair and based on the rules of the elections.

"I am pleased with the process. I think the process went very well, the rules were followed and the wishes of the member states were well reflected. The outcome l think is a fair conclusion and it is very clear that the member states will like to see fresh elections, would like to see possibly fresh set of candidates or at least additional candidates to those who have already been nominated. I think it's a fair process. It went very well."

The Vice President added that Nigeria has previously suggested that the elections be postponed until January, which is now about when they would be held again.

Explaining the outcome of the summit regarding the AUC elections further, Prof. Osinbajo said "the extension of the election is clearly the product of the rules and the way the rules were interpreted. Why the elections ended the way they did was because many members obviously felt (the need for) ...a fresh look at candidature and possibly have a few others."

Laolu Akande 
Senior Special Assistant- Media & Publicity


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