Britain's government has praised Nigeria's electoral commission and Ekiti State officials for conducting a peaceful governorship election. The UK High Commission in Abuja released the commendation on Monday.
Governor Abiodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress won re-election on June 20. London specifically congratulated him, INEC, security agencies, and voters who participated.
British observers watched the election closely before it took place. They met with INEC officials and police to review implementation of the Electoral Act 2026.
The observers praised how electoral staff and security personnel worked together during voting. Their partnership kept peace at polling stations across the state.
Several polling units made special efforts to help vulnerable voters cast their ballots. The UK mission took notice of these arrangements.
But accessibility remained a serious problem. Many polling locations weren't wheelchair-friendly due to their physical design and placement.
The High Commission wants stakeholders to fix this before the 2027 nationwide elections. Persons with disabilities deserve equal access to voting, officials argued.
Technical breakdowns also plagued some voting centers. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, or BVAS, experienced delays at multiple locations.
These glitches slowed down the voting process considerably. When systems fail, voters lose trust in elections, observers warned.
A bigger concern emerged on the ground. Election observers documented vote buying and party agent interference at visited polling units.
Such practices undermine democracy itself. London urged all actors to crack down on vote trading immediately.
Stakeholders must strengthen future elections and eliminate these corrupt behaviors. Public confidence depends on it, the statement noted.
Osun State will hold its own governorship election soon. The UK wants INEC, security forces, and political parties to learn from Ekiti's experience.
Nigeria's 2027 general elections matter enormously for the continent. Credible polling will boost public faith in democracy and development, according to the statement.
Britain remains committed to helping Nigeria improve its electoral system. The UK pledged continued support for democratic institutions and inclusive governance.
