The Nigerian elections were given the attention they deserved by the United Kingdom Government, which insisted that the nation was significant and that the election’s lead-up was being closely watched.
Additionally, it pledged to keep up its close collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and civil liberties groups in order to make sure that the upcoming election is credible and peaceful, and called for proactive action to reduce any tensions and stop violence before, during, and after the elections.
Additionally, it will temporarily close its visa application centers in Lagos and Abuja while Nigeria holds elections on February 25.
On Tuesday, the UK Visas and Immigration announced this via its verified Twitter account.
In a statement he released on Tuesday ahead of Nigeria’s 2023 General Elections, the UK’s Minister of State for Development & Africa, The Right Hon Andrew Mitchell, said: “Nigeria matters to the UK, and we are following the lead up to these Presidential, National Assembly, and Gubernatorial elections very closely. I’ve met with four of the presidential candidates and the chairman of INEC over the past two months and stressed our support for the election process and our dedication to a solid alliance between our two nations.
The UK Government continues to collaborate closely with INEC and our Nigerian civil society partners to provide advice on legal and electoral reforms, support the strengthening of democratic institutions, and promote the significance of civil society engagement in electoral processes.
The stability and democratic consolidation of Nigeria depend on the success of the election being free, fair, and credible. I urge everyone involved in Nigeria to take proactive steps to reduce tensions and stop violence before, during, and after the elections.
He added, “I call on party officials at all levels to respect electoral laws, institutions, and human rights, as well as to take a strong stance against violence and hate speech. I vehemently condemn any conduct that jeopardizes the orderly and open election process.
“Where the UK is aware of attempts to undermine democratic processes at the National or State level, we are prepared to take action against those who engage in or incite electoral violence and other anti-democratic behaviors,” the speaker insisted. These measures might include denying people visas to the UK or applying our system of human rights sanctions.
The future of regional and global democracy, as well as Nigeria’s continued democratic growth, depend on fair and inclusive elections, he declared.
In the meantime, the UK announced that due to the general election scheduled for February 25, the Visa Application Centers in Abuja and Lagos would be closed on Friday and Monday.
Customers can purchase the Keep my Passport option in the UK in order to keep their passports during the closure.
“The Visa Application Centers in Abuja, Ikeja, and Victoria Island will be closed on Friday, February 24, and Monday, February 27,” it declared.
“On these days, no VAC appointments will be scheduled, and clients won’t be able to visit the VAC to pick up their documents or passports.
Customers have the choice of paying for the Keep My Passport and Courier Return services ahead of the VAC closure in order to keep their passports during that time.
