The United Kingdom government has announced plans to observe selected governorship elections scheduled to take place in Nigeria in 2026.
British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, disclosed that the UK intends to send election observers to monitor the governorship polls slated for June and August in Ekiti and Osun states.
According to him, the move forms part of the British government’s commitment to supporting transparency and strengthening confidence in the electoral process.
Montgomery made this known during a courtesy visit to Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
According to Daily Trust, discussions during the meeting focused on Nigeria’s democratic development, the need for peaceful electoral contests, and the country’s strategic importance within Africa and the broader international community.
The British envoy emphasized that while the United Kingdom fully acknowledges and respects Nigeria’s sovereignty, it remains strongly interested in the nation’s democratic advancement and economic growth.
In response, Professor Yilwatda welcomed the high commissioner and noted that Nigeria’s stability continues to be of critical importance, not only to the African continent but also to the wider global community.
Nigerians’ Reactions To The Visit By US Commissioner To The APC:
Meanwhile, news of the British High Commissioner’s meeting with the APC national chairman has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians.
Below are some of their comments:
Danito commented: “Nigeria needs more British sphere of interest in our polity. Our politicians need external forces to monitor them to ensure they do the right thing. Kudos to Britain for this initiative.”
Chikwado Ugwuanyi said: “Britain doesn’t want anything good for Nigeria. In the mix of keeping, they are talking about elections, they don’t and would never care about us, only their interests.”
Henry Ugwuoke said: “You are the reason Nigeria can never get it right in elections. We don’t need you, people, again in Nigeria, please leave us alone oooo.”
Muyiwa Remi wrote:Â “You haven’t monitored the invasion of the radical religious people in your country, but want to monitor elections in another country. Africans will soon be liberated.”
