The UK Government says it will ban anyone found guilty of electoral offences and will also not hesitate to seize assets belonging to such offenders abroad.
The British High Commission in Nigeia in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday said it maintains a strong stand against election related violence and individuals found culpable will be denied eligibility to travel to the UK and would face prosecution under International law.
According to the statement, the High Commissioner has held meetings with leaders of the two main political parties, the APC and the PDP .with focus on shunnig violence before and after the elections.
The High Commission said, as a friend of the Nigerian state,it is committed to the course of strengthening Nigeria”s democratic institutions and will continue to take action against individuals who breached good governance and the electoral process.
It said “As a friend and patner of Nigeria,we are closely following the lead up to the off -cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states scheduled for September 19 and October 10 respectively.These elections are important,both as an essential element of effective governance within both states and an indicator of the strength of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“Our high Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, has held meetings with leaders of the two main political parties the APC and the PDP.The discussion focused on the for parties leaders to prevail on supporters to avoid violence before and after the elections and we welcome the Edo candidate’s signature of the National Peace Committee and INEC convened peace accord today.
“We will be deploying observation missions to both the Edo and Ondo elections and supporting civil society led observation.The UK takes a strong stand against election-related violence and, just as we did in the general election in 2019, will continue to take action against individuals we identify as being responsible for violence during the elections.This could include restrictions on their eligibility to travel to the UK, restrictions on access to UK based assets or prosecution under International law
“The UK will continue to provide support and engagement as we move towards these elections,We urge INEC, the Police and all other agencies involved to work together to deliver free, fair and credible elections.’ the statement added.
