According to British officials, they are keeping a careful eye on Nigeria’s democratic process and are quite interested in the upcoming general elections in 2027.
Richard Montgomery, the British high commissioner to Nigeria, made the statement while paying a courtesy visit to Nentawe Yilwatda, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Abuja on Thursday.
While acknowledging that Britain’s economic, financial, and security interests make changes in Nigeria significant, Montgomery emphasised that the UK will maintain its respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.
The forthcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States would be observed by delegations from the United Kingdom, he revealed.
Since these are the last governorship elections to be held outside of the regular election season before next year’s general election, we will be sending delegates to watch the process. Elections must be conducted in a peaceful, credible, and successful manner, he emphasised.
As the biggest country in Africa and a crucial ally, the envoy emphasised Nigeria’s importance to the UK.
“Respect for Nigeria is something we will constantly strive for. Because it is the biggest African country, what occurs in Nigeria has global implications. It is crucial to us that Nigeria remains stable and that democracy succeeds there because we have substantial financial, economic, and security investments there, Montgomery continued.
He was confident in Nigeria’s electoral future and reiterated Britain’s support for the country’s democratic institutions.
We have faith in Nigeria’s democracy and are willing to put money into it. As the next general election approaches, he wished Nigeria the best.
While the APC is devoted to responsible and peaceful political activity, he claims that its candidates will refrain from using language that could incite political unrest.