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Mr Ben Llewelyn-Jones, British Deputy Excessive Commissioner to Nigeria, has urged Nigerians to respect the electoral course of.
Llewellyn-Jones gave the recommendation in an interview with the Information Company of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He urged politicians to resolve their grievances in a peaceable method and keep away from heating the polity and inciting violence.
“My recommendation to politicians within the upcoming elections is that they need to respect the method as the brand new know-how is there to make sure that individuals can vote and that have to be revered.
“If the politicians have downside or dispute, then using authorized or peaceable processes ought to be carried out and if their supporters are offended, guarantee peaceable protests and keep away from any type of violence.
“Most significantly, politicians should desist from shopping for votes as the best factor is to inform individuals to vote for you due to what you’ll do and never by shopping for votes to persuade them to vote for you.
“It’s crucial of politicians and folks to do the best issues because the UK authorities is dedicated to issuing visa restrictions the place it’s conscious of makes an attempt to subvert the democratic course of,” he stated.
Llewellyn-Jones famous that since 2019, the UK authorities has spent over £10million working with the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC), establishment capability constructing and civil societies, amongst others.
He urged the general public to cooperate and work with the INEC, noting that the fee has the capability to cope with challenges going through it.
“We now have been working very carefully with INEC and we’ve got spent over £10 million since 2019; not simply on them as that cash went into capability constructing for Nigerian authorities establishments, civil societies and observers who’ve been working carefully with INEC.
“We’re impressed with steps which were taken as we all know there’s nonetheless rather a lot do, particularly by way of logistic challenges, however INEC could be very skilled and they’d overcome the challenges.
“We encourage Nigerians to work and cooperate with INEC as there would at all times be challenges, however Nigerians ought to stay supportive,” he stated.
The UK envoy famous that there ought to be inclusiveness of individuals throughout the board in elections.
He inspired Individuals Residing With Disabilities (PLWDs), youths and ladies to contest varied positions in future elections.
“We’re robust supporters of the ‘Not-Too-Younger-To-Run’ Motion, as we supported the act and inspired extra individuals to come back ahead to take part within the elections as a result of we wish to see extra inclusiveness throughout the board.
“We wish to see individuals with disabilities, individuals from completely different backgrounds and ages contest in elections however that’s nonetheless an actual problem as we don’t see that.
“Extra girls ought to take part in politics as you possibly can have a look at the UK who has had three feminine prime ministers and we consider it is very important see extra girls collaborating as it might be a large encouragement typically.
“You will need to have that identification course of so we’re actively supporting all of that to make that distinction to occur,” he stated.
Llewellyn-Jones expressed confidence that the forthcoming elections can be peaceable and truthful.
He revealed that the UK authorities didn’t have most popular candidates noting that its concern was for the general public to find out their most popular leaders.
“I’ve been watching elections in Nigeria since 2014 and each election since 1999 has been an enchancment as there have been modifications, enhancements, growth, assurance and extra confidence from the voters.
“I’m sure that the upcoming elections can be a step ahead and the know-how that’s being launched is an enormous half that might make sure that individuals can’t rig the elections.
“We might be observing the elections and we’re actually hopeful that the elections would go easily.
“The important thing factor is that Nigerians vote, that they vote in a peaceable setting and that their votes depend
and the method is credible.
“The UK authorities isn’t bothered about who wins the elections however our focus is on the method and to make sure Nigerians select their leaders,” he stated.
The final elections will begin with the presidential ballot on Feb. 25.
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