From Iheanacho Nwosu, Abuja

The  European Union (EU) yesterday disclosed that it will not deploy election observers in North East states during the February  general elections  for security reasons

This is as it cautioned political players against engaging in acts that will derail peace and throw the country into chaos .

The EU stated this when a  delegation of the EU Electoral Mission, an arm of the body met with the Presidential Candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) Maj-Gen Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

The delegation was led by EU Chief election observer, Mr. Santiago Fisas  Ayxela. Describing the February election as crucial not only to Nigeria but also to the Europe  He  said the election must be credible and transparent .  He said the EU considers the election as important noting that it is in demonstration of that that the body resolved to send 90 observers to monitor the election.

Asked the states and zones that the observers will covers Ayxela,  ruled out deploying his men in North East as a result of the security challenge being witnessed by the zone.

He explained that  the first batch of 30 observers were presently in the country, adding that the second group will arrive Nigeria on February 7th. while the last by would arrive before the election.

Emphasizing on the importance of the election , the chief observer told Buhari and leaders of his campaign Organisation  that  the polls are very important to the EU and Europe . He contended that whatever happens  in Nigeria will affect the whole of Africa and Europe  as well.

Addressing journalists after the  meeting  said Ayxela said: “The European Election Mission is a big mission. It is a mission that started in November and will be in place till mid April. What happened on the Election Day is not only the problem. It is what happened during and within a space of time, how their marines were done, how the law has been complied with, the propaganda, activities of the media and any possible claims after the elections. That is our role and not just to follow up the days of election.

“This is a very big country with so many inhabitants and so, it is not possible to cover everything. I can’t tell you that we will cover all the wards either for this election or for any other election.”

He continued : “We can’t be in the North East for security reasons. But we have people deployed very close to the North-east and we have contacts there and so, try to get better information as much as we can have on the north east. But the present situation does not allow us to go to the north east.”

Also speaking on the meeting, General Mohammadu Buhari, who described the EU observers as experienced people who have been covering other countries elections, also said, “ They are qualify to come for this elections and as you observed they can not cover all the 120,000 polling units but, they will place people in strategic places to advise them. “
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