The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Cateriona Laing, has said the United Kingdom, like the rest of the international community, would be watching the 2023 general elections in Nigeria very closely.
This, she explained, is because of the important position occupied by Nigeria in Africa and the rest of the world.
Laing, who stated this during a meeting with the National Working Committee, NWC, of Peoples Democratic Party, at the PDP National Secretariat, Abuja, yesterday, said: “This election is very important to Africa and the rest of the world, so the spotlight will be on Nigeria and the UK will be watching closely.
“We engage in so many ways, we have spoken with INEC, civil societies, we don’t support any political party, it is for the people of Nigeria to decide who will lead them at the federal level and state levels. In that spirit, we are meeting all the main political parties.
“I met with the chairman in February, this is our second meeting and I will be meeting all the other chairs of the main political parties.”
Speaking about her concerns for the elections, she said: “The few things that are on my mind, just to make sure that the elections go very well, number one is security, and we have been really concerned about the recent events.
”52 election violence-related issues in 22 states, including an attack on the PDP convoy in Maiduguri, is a real concern, and we want to exchange our thoughts on what you can do as a political party to ensure that the elections are as peaceful as possible.
“When people feel intimidated, they can’t get out to vote, the election itself will not be credible, that is why violence is of great concern. On the issue of electoral violence, you can make a statement about the last election, as well as we do have positive support, since we do have sanctions in the form of our visa program.