The British Deputy High Commissioner, Gill Lever has declared that the British Government supports free, peaceful and credible elections in Nigeria in 2027.
According to her, Downing Street has no favourite political party and will not be seen interfering with any local political matters.
She expressed these views when she paid a courtesy visit to the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq at Ahmadu Bello House in Ilorin, the state capital.
“We all want to see elections that are peaceful, that are inclusive, that are credible with space for participation, with respect for institutions” she said.
Lever disclosed that the British Government is entirely neutral.
“We do not favour one party or another and we would never be in business of telling Nigerian people how to vote. But peaceful and credible elections, of course, are not only a democratic objective.
“This is not only about the Commonwealth values and the values of democracy that we’ve long shared, they are also an economic objective or imperative well.”
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According to her, Kwara under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has become a model for gender equity, calling the governor a trailblazer for women’s rights and participation in politics.
“First of all, you’re a strong advocate for women’s representation in governance and I think Kwara, under your leadership, has been a trailblazer for women’s rights and women’s participation in the political life of your state.
“We know that you’ve appointed over 50% of your cabinet roles to women. So women’s representation in political life and lawmaking is essential to Nigeria’s economic development. I think we all see that.
“So I strongly commend you, Your Excellency. You are a model state for gender equity and your endorsement of the special seats bill for women has earned you ‘HeForShe’ ambassador,” Lever said.
Lever noted that the British government is working in many states to help improve digital skills and nurture young talents in tech industry.
While responding, Governor AbdulRazaq said his administration has turned around the fortunes of the state with significant progress made in different sectors of the economy.
“We have made significant progress in different sectors of the economy: from health, education, agriculture and road infrastructure,” the governor said.
AbdulRazaq explained that his administration’s investment in education and health sectors have yielded positive results with improved ratings of the sectors and expansion of access to education and health care delivery.
“We have expanded access to university education with the (completion of) two campuses of KWASU in Kwara North and South. Then, by the time we will be leaving office by 2027, Kwara will have five teaching hospitals to bridge shortage of manpower in the health sector,” AbdulRazaq said.
On agriculture, the Governor said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is encouraging farming activities and the state has established Shea processing factory in Kaiama, which will be the second largest in Nigeria when it becomes operational.
He also spoke extensively on security issues, breaking down the efforts of the state government with other stakeholders to stem breaches and make rural communities safer.
