The UK government is taking a firm stance against individuals involved in electoral violence and other anti-democratic activities during Nigeria’s recent general election....CONTINUE READING
The Minister of State for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell MP, announced that the government is committed to addressing these issues and will take necessary action against those responsible.
The British High Commission in Nigeria commended the improvements in election logistics made by Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), especially when compared to previous elections.
Notable achievements include more polling units opening on time, better functioning biometric voter authentication systems, and real-time uploading of results from polling units and collation centers.
However, the UK government also expressed concerns about various issues observed during the election. Members of the UK’s observation mission witnessed incidents of violence, voter suppression, vote buying, and voter intimidation. There were also reports of the destruction and hijacking of election materials, as well as the disruption of the electoral process in several states, including Lagos, Enugu, and Rivers.
Furthermore, the UK government is alarmed by the harassment of journalists during the elections. They emphasized that freedom of speech and a free press are essential for a healthy democracy, and journalists must be allowed to work without threats.
The use of inflammatory, ethnoreligious language by some public and political figures has also been a point of concern. The UK government calls on all leaders to not only distance themselves from such language but to actively prevent their representatives from engaging in it.
Despite the challenges, many Nigerians showed their commitment to democracy by voting in the face of intimidation and hostility. The UK government urges any parties or individuals wishing to challenge the election process or results to do so peacefully and through legal channels.
As a long-term partner, the UK is dedicated to strengthening ties between the two nations, including supporting democratic development.
The outcome of the 2023 elections has implications not only for Nigeria and its citizens but also for Africa and the international community. The UK government remains committed to observing the progress of any legal challenges and working towards a more democratic future.
