The British government has stated that it has no preferred candidate or political party ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, stressing its commitment to supporting only peaceful, inclusive and credible polls.
British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever, made this known during a courtesy visit to Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, at the Government House in Ilorin.
According to the envoy, the United Kingdom would not interfere in Nigeria’s electoral process or influence voters’ choices, noting that the focus of the British government remains the promotion of democratic values and credible elections.
She said the UK was interested in seeing elections that are peaceful, transparent and inclusive, with full respect for democratic institutions and citizen participation.
Lever emphasized that the British government remains neutral in Nigeria’s political affairs and would never dictate to Nigerians how to vote.
She added that credible elections are not only important for democracy but are also necessary for economic growth and stability.
During her visit, the envoy also commended Governor AbdulRazaq for promoting women’s participation in governance, describing Kwara State as a leading example of gender inclusion in Nigeria.
She praised the governor’s administration for supporting women’s representation in public office and encouraging greater participation of women in political activities across the state.
Lever further disclosed that the British government was partnering with several Nigerian states to improve digital skills development and support young talents in the technology sector.
Responding, Governor AbdulRazaq said his administration had transformed several sectors in Kwara since assuming office in 2019.
He explained that the government inherited major challenges, including unpaid pensions, salary arrears, poor school infrastructure and blacklisting by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
The governor said his administration had since improved investment in education, healthcare, agriculture and road infrastructure, while also ensuring prompt payment of salaries and better welfare packages for workers.
AbdulRazaq revealed that the state government was considering increasing the minimum wage to ₦100,000 later this year.
He also noted that investments in education and healthcare had expanded access to quality services across the state, including the completion of additional campuses for Kwara State University in the northern and southern parts of the state.
According to him, Kwara is also working towards establishing five teaching hospitals before the end of his administration in 2027 to address manpower shortages in the health sector.
Speaking on agriculture, the governor said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was encouraging farming activities nationwide, adding that Kwara had established a Shea processing factory in Kaiama, which he described as one of the largest in Nigeria once operational
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