PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: NIGERIA SHOULD BE PROUD OF THE POSITIVES — UK HIGH COMMISSIONER
Written by Samson Ojeniran on March 14, 2023
The outgoing British High Commissioner in Nigeria, Catriona Laing has said that the Saturday, February, 25th Presidential and National Assembly election, was a positive process, that Nigeria should be proud, even though there were setbacks but with a remarkable difference compared to when she came in 2019.
Amid litigations trailing the conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly elections, conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) on February 25, 2023, the envoy has described the election as fascinating as it offered future assurances for democratic governance in the country.
Speaking with Journalists in Abuja at the Senate wing of the National Assembly after a courtesy visit on the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, the British envoy said that despite the disputation on the process of the election by some political actors, it was fascinating and portend bright future for the country.
She said:
I was here till the last election and I finished with this election and I’m impressed with Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Yes, a bit setbacks. but overall, I see this as positive and Nigeria should be proud, but with a remarkable difference when I came in 2019.
Nigeria is the biggest democracy in Africa. The world watches your progress to democracy.
Though there were some disappointments in the last election overall, every Nigerian should be proud because since 1999 Nigeria has been on the right track as far as participatory democracy is concerned.
The election here is very different and fascinating as you are moving to three party system or maybe even four. I think Nigerians as well should realise that their votes count.
Aside election, the British Envoy who hailed Nigerians for being resilient at all times of difficulties, said:
There had been some tough times. We had COVID-19, and insecurity has got a lot more since I was here. Nigerian people are incredibly resilient. I remain very optimistic about Nigeria’s future. So it’s been a very wonderful tour and very sad to be going.
