UK Set To Curb Electoral Violence In Nigeria

The British High Commission in Abuja has issued a statement regarding the governorship and State Assembly elections in Nigeria, stating that while there were positives to take away, there were also concerns regarding violence, voter suppression, vote buying, and voter intimidation in several states, including Lagos, Enugu, and Rivers.

The UK has condemned the use of inflammatory ethno-religious language by some public and political figures and called on all leaders to prevent those who speak on their behalf from using such language.

The UK Minister of State for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell MP, has also indicated that the UK is prepared to take action against individuals who engage in or incite electoral violence and other anti-democratic behaviors, including imposing sanctions under their human rights sanctions regime or preventing them from obtaining UK visas. The UK is currently collating relevant information with a view to taking action against some individuals.