The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commended the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) for choosing Nigeria as the destination for its electoral study tour.
Acting INEC Chairman, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, expressed the appreciation during a farewell dinner in Abuja, describing the week-long engagement as mutually beneficial.
“We hope all you have learnt here will contribute positively to the advancement of democratic practices in your country,” she said.
The NEBE delegation, accompanied by members of the Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organisations for Elections (CECOE), spent a week engaging with INEC officials and learning about Nigeria’s electoral system.
Speaking on behalf of the visitors, NEBE Deputy Chairman, Mr Tesfaye Niwai, thanked INEC for its warm hospitality and noted that Nigeria’s diversity and democratic resilience were inspiring.
“We’ve gained valuable insights into INEC’s legal framework, inclusivity strategies, and stakeholder engagement,” Niwai said, adding that the experience would support ongoing reforms in Ethiopia.
INEC’s Secretary, Mrs Rose Oriaran-Anthony, commended the immediate past INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, for initiating the partnership and hailed the acting chair for sustaining it.
The visit, supported by GIZ Nigeria and Ethiopia, ended with both institutions reaffirming their commitment to electoral development and democratic cooperation across Africa. (NAN)