AFRICA. Nigeria/United Kingdom: The United Kingdom (UK) has expressed deep concern at an Expert Meeting on Conducting Nigeria’s 2023 General Elections in Volatile Security Environments organized in collaboration with the Center for Democracy and Development (CDD)that the persistence of terrorism activities in the country will post a great threat to the nation’s come 2023 polls.
This was disclosed by the United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), Development Director, Chris Pycroft. Saying, the security of lives and properties of Nigerians come to the 2023 general election in Nigeria is a thing of utmost concern for the British government.
Pycroft is also understood to have described the insecurity situation in some parts of the six geo-political zones in Nigeria under the leadership of president Mohammed Buhari to be a threat to the country’s general election and it must be seen as a thing of concern.
Security is a top priority for the UK in its partnership here in Nigeria and will be of even more importance over the coming six months. Strengthening the delivery of peace and security is one of several initiatives we are part of.
Nigeria is facing more challenges than ever before to deliver a peaceful and secure election. But at the same time, the demand for democracy and change, especially among Nigeria’s rapidly expanding youth population and women across the country continues to grow. These elections are important not only in Nigeria, not only for the continent of Africa, but for the world, Pycroft said.
He continued, that the democracy of the entire world was under threat and urged the Nigerian government to do all it could within the ambit of its power to curtail the ugly phenomenon.
Pycroft added, “Security personnel, INEC, and others face huge challenges in meeting this demand, because of the seriousness and range of security threats that the people face across the country.“
“As important as the security of the election is, as stakeholders involved in this election, we must strive to not only guarantee the security of voters and the electoral process but also to actively promote peace. We need to focus on police deployments and access to polling stations. These are critical issues, but they are not enough.”
However, unity, peace, and coexistence among Nigerians will be greatly affected as inter-communal clashes will escalate across the six geo-political zones of the nation.
Also speaking, the Nigeria Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, noted that Nigeria is going into a critical situation as 2023 draws closer. And hinted that all hands must be on deck to ensure the success of the election.
Mahmood however advised all the political candidates and their parties to focus on issues that will add value to the election in terms of transparency where votes of the electorates will count.
Also Read: Nigeria Government Kickoff FinTrac ERP
