We’re committed to credible polls in Nigeria — UK

The Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Laure Beaufils, yesterday assured that the British Government would work with relevant stakeholders to ensure peaceful and credible polls across Nigeria in 2019.

Laure, who spoke after a close-door meeting with Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike at the Government House in Port Harcourt, said the technical progress achieved in the Osun State elections should be improved upon next year.

She said: “If you look at the Osun State elections that just took place, there have been a lot of technical issues. We have seen significant progress which we hope can be replicated across the country in 2019. It is something that we are looking at and we are working with INEC for further progress.

“It is a combination of working with security agencies and INEC and there is an element of political will. The decision makers of the two political parties should demonstrate their political commitment to address these issues”.

She said she discussed peaceful conduct of the 2019 elections in Rivers State with Wike and leaders of the All Progressives Congress.

Wike said the state was committed to peaceful and credible polls, urging the international community to prevail on INEC and security agencies not to interfere with the voting process in 2019.