The Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mrs Gill Lever, has said the British government will not interfere in the conduct of the 2027 general elections in the country and has no preferred political party ahead of the polls.

Lever made the declaration on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, at Government House, Ilorin.

The envoy, who is on a three-day official visit to Kwara State, said the British government would support free, peaceful, and credible elections in Nigeria.

“Downing Street has no favourite political party and will not be seen interfering in local political matters.

“We all want to see elections that are peaceful, that are inclusive, that are credible, with space for participation, with respect for institutions.

“The British government, as you’ll understand, Excellency, are entirely neutral. We do not favour one party or another, and we would never be in the business of telling Nigerian people how to vote.

“But peaceful and credible elections, of course, are not only a democratic objective. This is not only about the Commonwealth values and the values of democracy that we’ve long shared, they’re also an economic objective or imperative as well.”

While commending Governor Abdulrazaq for his efforts to improve the lives of Kwara residents, Lever described the state as a model for gender equity, praising the governor as a trailblazer for women’s rights and political participation.

“First of all, you’re a strong advocate for women’s representation in governance and I think Kwara, under your leadership, has been a trailblazer for women’s rights and women’s participation in the political life of your state.

“We know that you’ve appointed over 50% of your cabinet roles to women. So, women’s representation in political life and lawmaking is essential to Nigeria’s economic development.

“I think we all see that. So, I strongly commend you, Your Excellency. You are a model state for gender equity and your endorsement of the special seats bill for women has earned you ‘HeForShe’ ambassador.”

Lever noted that the British government is working across several states to improve digital skills and nurture young talent in the technology industry.

“We’re visiting the Ilorin Innovation Hub today to see the progress of that particular set of UK assistance, see how it’s helped to develop skills and develop aspirations in the tech sector. This Is allowing innovators to access global networks and opportunities.

“So, we’re very keen through our digital access programme to help improve digital skills, nurture talents, and further the aspirations of young men and women in tech and help them into employment opportunities.

“You may also know that we launched, a couple of months ago, a community hub in Olayinka (Ifelodun local government), which we hope will benefit over 50,000 people in the local government with tech skills and digital access.”

Responding, Governor Abdulrazaq said his administration had turned around the fortunes of the state with significant progress across various sectors.

“We have made significant progress in different sectors of the economy: from health, education, agriculture and road infrastructure. When we came in 2019, things just weren’t working in the state.

“From backlogs of pensions and gratuities to payment of half-salaries to blacklist of Kwara by Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC),” he said.

“When we came in, 99% of schools did not have WASH facilities and no fencing of schools; teachers were in fact owed months in salary arrears. Today, we are up-to-date in investment in basic education with payment of counterpart funds to UBEC.

“We have expanded access to education, healthcare and we are making prompt payment of salaries as well as improving the welfare of the workforce.

“We have cleared backlog of salaries we met. In fact, we are planning to raise minimum wage again this year to N100,000.”

Abdulrazaq explained that his administration’s investment in education and health had yielded positive results, with improved sector ratings and expanded access to services.

“We have expanded access to university education with the (completion of) two campuses of KWASU in Kwara North and South. Then, by the time we will be leaving office by 2027, Kwara will have five teaching hospitals to bridge shortage of manpower in the health sector,” he said.

On agriculture, the governor said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration was encouraging farming activities, adding that the state had established a Shea processing factory in Kaiama which would be the second largest in Nigeria when operational.

He also spoke on security, outlining efforts by the state government and other stakeholders to curb breaches and make rural communities safer. (Nigerian Tribune)

•L-R: Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Musa; Security Liaison Officer Northern Nigeria, Tope Aroso; Senior Political Adviser, Wale Adebajo; British Deputy High Commissioner, Gill Lever; Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (CON); Head of Political Desk, Lucy Green; Visits Officer, Ivie Ameh; Executive Assistant to Deputy High Commissioner, Zeinab Audu; and Kwara State APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi; during a courtesy visit to the Ahmadu Bello House, in Ilorin, on Tuesday.